Zymeworks signs global deal with Roche for ZW209
Vancouver, British Columbia, October 23, 2026. Zymeworks Inc. has entered into a global license and collaboration agreement with Roche for the development and commercialization of ZW209, a trispecific T cell engager targeting DLL3. Under the terms of the deal, Zymeworks will receive an upfront payment of $55 million, followed by a $40 million payment upon the initiation of the Phase 1b trial. The company is also eligible for additional development, commercial, and sales-based milestone payments totaling up to $718 million, along with tiered royalties on global net sales ranging from high single digits to mid-teens. These royalties are protected by patents extending into the 2040s.
Vancouver, British Columbia, October 23, 2026. Zymeworks Inc. has entered into a global license and collaboration agreement with Roche for the development and commercialization of ZW209, a trispecific T cell engager targeting DLL3. Under the terms of the deal, Zymeworks will receive an upfront payment of $55 million, followed by a $40 million payment upon the initiation of the Phase 1b trial. The company is also eligible for additional development, commercial, and sales-based milestone payments totaling up to $718 million, along with tiered royalties on global net sales ranging from high single digits to mid-teens. These royalties are protected by patents extending into the 2040s.
The transaction remains subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals. Zymeworks will conduct the Phase 1a monotherapy clinical trial of ZW209 in collaboration with Roche. Roche will fund this initial trial and assumes responsibility for subsequent global development and commercialization of the asset. The agreement grants Roche exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ZW209 globally.
ZW209 is designed to target DLL3-expressing tumor cells while engaging T cells through binding to CD3 and CD28. The molecule utilizes Zymeworks' proprietary Azymetric and EFECT platforms to enhance anti-tumor T cell responses via CD28 co-stimulation. Preclinical data indicate that ZW209 demonstrates differentiated long-term cytotoxicity in vitro, with enhanced T cell proliferation and survival. A Phase 1, open-label, multicenter, global study has been initiated following U.S. Food and Drug Administration Investigational New Drug clearance. This study aims to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity in adults with advanced solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine tumors that express DLL3.
Adam Schayowitz, Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D at Zymeworks, stated that the collaboration allows the company to advance ZW209 through initial clinical development while leveraging Roche's capabilities to accelerate its expansion across indications. Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Corporate Business Development at Roche, noted that ZW209 complements ongoing efforts to develop new treatment options for people living with lung cancer. Zymeworks plans to hold a conference call with investment analysts on October 27 at 8:30 am Eastern Time to discuss the agreement.