The acquisition of Ambrx by Johnson & Johnson is anticipated to conclude in the first half of 2024. Credit: josefkubes / Shutterstock.com.

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Ambrx Biopharma in a $2bn all-cash deal.

Ambrx, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is recognised for its synthetic biology platform, which is instrumental in designing and developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs).

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The company’s portfolio includes clinical and preclinical programmes that optimise the safety and efficacy of its candidate therapeutics in oncology indications.

Among the key candidates in Ambrx’s pipeline is ARX517, an ADC targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Another is ARX788, a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed ADC for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer.

ARX305 is also being developed to target CD-70 [cluster of differentiation 70] for renal cell carcinoma.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Researchers at J&J plan to collaborate with their Ambrx counterparts to expedite the Phase I/II APEX-01 clinical trial of ARX517 to treat advanced prostate cancer.

The companies will also progress the development of a new ADC product candidate pipeline.

The deal will be concluded in the first half of 2024.

Johnson & Johnson innovative medicine oncology global therapeutic area head Yusri Elsayed stated: “Ambrx’s ADC technology offers unique advantages in the conjugation of stable antibodies and cytotoxic linker payloads, which results in engineered ADCs that effectively kill cancer cells and limit toxicities.

“The results seen to date with ARX517 in mCRPC are promising and represent a potential first- and best-in-class targeted therapy for the treatment of this aggressive disease.

“In addition, Ambrx’s pipeline and ADC platform present exciting future opportunities to deliver enhanced, precision biologics as we look to transform the treatment of cancer and improve patients’ lives.”

The latest development comes after the company signed a  $1.7bn licensing deal with South Korean company LegoChem Biosciences to develop and market LCB84.