Heidelberg Pharma AG and Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd. signed a new research and development collaboration agreement on August 28, 2026, to jointly develop novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with up to six target molecules. According to an official corporate release issued by Heidelberg Pharma, the partnership expands an existing relationship in which Huadong Medicine serves as the second-largest shareholder of the German biotech firm.
Expansion of the Research Partnership
Under the terms of the agreement signed by subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Research GmbH and Hangzhou-based Huadong Medicine, the two companies will combine proprietary technologies for research and early development. According to Heidelberg Pharma, the collaboration utilizes the German firm’s proprietary ATAC® technology platform alongside further novel toxin payloads, paired with Huadong Medicine’s research and development capacities. The initiative aims to produce next-generation ADCs, including bispecific and multispecific ADCs designed to be equipped with two active ingredients.
Technological Integration and Target Indications
The new ADCs may incorporate proprietary antibodies or technologies from Huadong Medicine. According to company disclosures, this combination is intended to improve target accuracy and safety profiles while increasing biological efficacy and clinical benefit. The resulting therapeutic options are for patients with relapsed/refractory diseases. Intellectual property rights for any resulting development candidates will be divided between the two partners based on their respective contributions.
Leadership Perspective
Dr. Dongzhou Jeffery Liu, Vorstandsvorsitzender of Heidelberg Pharma, stated in the corporate announcement that the agreement elevates the existing strategic partnership to the next level. According to Dr. Liu, combining the strengths and technologies of both firms will set new standards and develop further innovative drug conjugates for cancer therapy, securing additional drug candidates for Heidelberg Pharma’s product pipeline.
Corporate Background and Pipeline Status
Heidelberg Pharma, headquartered in Ladenburg, Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol HPHA, is the first company to develop cancer therapies based on Amanitin, an active ingredient derived from the green death cap mushroom. Its lead candidate, HDP-101, targets multiple myeloma and holds Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to company data. A second ATAC candidate, HDP-102, is in clinical development for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, while preclinical programs HDP-103 and HDP-104 target metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and gastrointestinal tumors such as colorectal cancer respectively.