Orion bolsters cancer pipeline after insomnia drug setback

23 Oct 2025, 12:30ORNBV.HESource

Orion has secured an exclusive license for an experimental cancer antibody from Abzena, the latest in a series of deals to strengthen its oncology pipeline following a recent clinical trial failure.

The Finnish drugmaker said Thursday it obtained the commercial license for a monoclonal antibody that targets a cancer with high unmet clinical need.

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Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The deal comes less than a month after Orion discontinued development of its experimental insomnia drug, ODM-105, after it failed to meet the main goals of a mid-stage study.

At the time, the company said it would focus its resources on advancing other assets.

The new agreement with Abzena adds to several other cancer-focused partnerships Orion has struck over the past year, including collaborations on antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies.

The company's oncology business has been a key growth driver, led by its blockbuster prostate cancer drug, Nubeqa.

“We are very satisfied with the excellent and transparent collaboration and the results it has delivered in our common antibody program,” said Antti Haapalinna, Vice President of External Science and Partnering at Orion.

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