How Biotech Startups Use Antibody-Drug Conjugates as Guided Missiles

In this episode of Biotech Business with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are transforming cancer treatment by delivering potent toxins directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. They break down the real-world example of Enhertu, the ADC developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, which has shown remarkable results in breast, lung, and gastric cancers. The hosts explain the three key components of an ADC—the antibody, the linker, and the payload—and how biotech startups are innovating on each element to improve efficacy and reduce side effects. Lucas shares data from a recent trial where Enhertu shrank tumors in over 60% of patients with a specific HER2 mutation, and Luna discusses the engineering challenges of designing linkers that stay stable in the bloodstream but release the drug once inside the cancer cell. They also touch on the competitive landscape, with over 100 ADCs in clinical development and a market projected to reach $20 billion by 2028. The episode ends with a candid note on how listener support via buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo keeps the show ad-free. #Biotech #ADCs #AntibodyDrugConjugates #Enhertu #AstraZeneca #DaiichiSankyo #CancerTreatment #TargetedTherapy #DrugDelivery #Oncology #HER2 #LinkerTechnology #Payload #ClinicalTrials #BiotechStartups #BusinessAndTechnology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo