Zymeworks

Zymerworks (Building Better Biologics)

Zymerworks is a company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and was funded in 2013 by venture capital and private

equity. The company developed a platform for antibodies and focuses on cancer and autoimmune disorders. Using the

right algorithms, they design multi-specific, full-size Ig61-like antibodies that are highly stable and manufacturable. Their

signature product is called Azymetric, an antibody platform. It has the potential to be rapidly adaptable, as the antibodies

do not use unnatural amino acids. They partnered with Merck in 2011 and recently Zymerworks started a collaboration

with Lilly. Zymeworks provides the Azymetric platform, and Lilly and Merck develop antibodies and drugs. They focus on

solid tumors and liquid-based tumors. They do not develop new drugs; rather, they test well-known drugs to treat cancer

by developing specific antibodies. For example, they recently developed an antibody that hits the Her2 gene, related to

breast and gastric cancers. They also develop antibodies that can go after two targets simultaneously, something very

useful in treating very aggressive cancer cases. They recently discovered an effective drug for liquid tumors, called ZW34.

This drug has a longer half-life than other drugs. Zymerworks’ first studies showed that the drug removed leukemia in 14

days. At present, they are advancing into clinical trials and are looking for new investors for future development.