SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BioAtla, a global biotechnology company focused on the development of differentiated biological therapeutics, today announced an agreement with BioDuro to collaborate on the development of two therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in China. The two novel antibodies target specific indications with combined addressable populations of millions of patients.

"Working together with BioDuro through our ongoing relationship and leveraging the strengths of each company, we have identified two high-quality antibody candidates that address large market opportunities in China," said Jay M. Short, Ph.D., president, chief executive officer and chairman of BioAtla. "This development structure provides an avenue for us to participate in the Chinese pharmaceutical marketplace at the highest value-added point with these therapeutic opportunities."

Under the terms of the agreement, BioAtla will direct BioDuro's efforts to advance these compounds through the preclinical and Phase I clinical phases. Under the direction of BioAtla, each candidate will be licensed to local Chinese biopharmaceutical companies for later stage clinical development and commercialization in China.

"The Chinese pharmaceutical market is growing at an extremely rapid rate, and is predicted to be the second-largest pharmaceutical market in the world by 2020," said Jasmine Cui, general manager and chief scientific officer of BioDuro. "In addition, the value in this market is increasingly shifting to differentiated proprietary products that can meet global pharmaceutical standards. We have worked with BioAtla since 2007, and look forward to working with BioAtla to advance their two compounds in an efficient manner appropriate for the Chinese market."

The two compounds to be developed within the agreement target undisclosed indications. The objectives of the programs are to provide treatments that significantly improve the therapeutic result and safety compared to currently available therapies and that make important contributions to the containment of health care costs in China.

BioAtla is a global biotechnology company with operations in San Diego, CA and Beijing. BioAtla develops novel monoclonal antibody and other protein therapeutic products, utilizing its patented Conditionally Active Biologics (CAB) platform for more selective targeting and greater efficacy, and its patented Comprehensive Integrated Antibody Optimization (CIAO!TM) platform for more cost-efficient and predictable manufacturing. By employing its proprietary technologies of product design and development, from target discovery to manufacturing and preclinical studies, BioAtla develops differentiated, patentable therapeutic proteins for its partners and for its internal programs. BioAtla has over 70 issued and pending patents that cover its platform technologies representing a full complement of therapeutic protein development capabilities. Learn more at www.bioatla.com.

SOURCE: BioAtla