- Akari Therapeutics has entered a strategic partnership with WuXi XDC to support development and manufacturing of its PH1 ADC payload.
- The collaboration aims to advance Akari’s lead program AKTX-101 toward a planned Phase 1 clinical trial.
Akari Therapeutics has entered into a strategic partnership with WuXi XDC to accelerate the development of its PH1 payload for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The agreement focuses on advancing biologics development and contract manufacturing capabilities to support Akari’s oncology pipeline.
The collaboration will support the development of Akari’s lead program, AKTX-101, which is initially targeting metastatic urothelial cancer. The program incorporates the company’s proprietary PH1 payload, a spliceosome modulator designed to disrupt RNA splicing in cancer cells, representing a differentiated approach compared to traditional ADC payloads.
WuXi XDC will contribute its expertise in ADC development and manufacturing as part of the CDMO partnership. The companies aim to advance the PH1 payload into more advanced studies and support its progression toward clinical development. Akari expects to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial for AKTX-101 in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to regulatory clearance.
Akari stated that the PH1 payload is designed to deliver both direct cytotoxic effects and activation of immune responses. In preclinical studies, AKTX-101 demonstrated anti-tumor regression and complete remissions compared to other ADCs, according to the company.
“This strategic partnership with WuXi XDC represents a major milestone for Akari and a powerful validation of our novel PH1 payload technology.”
Abizer Gaslightwala, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics
