Araris Biotech AG Announces Strategic Investment with Samsung Ventures

Samsung Ventures makes investment in ArarisProceeds will be used to support further development and advancement of Araris’ antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidates AU ZH, Switzerland, April 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Araris Biotech AG (“Araris” or “the Company”), a company pioneering a proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-linker technology, today announced that Samsung Venture Investment Corporation (“Samsung Ventures”), an investment corporation established to promote the development of new technologies, has invested in the Company in an independent deal ahead of its on-going series A funding. The investment was made via Samsung Life Science Fund – created jointly between Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) and Samsung C&T, and managed by Samsung Ventures – which reflects Samsung’s commitment to further explore and expand various business opportunities in biopharmaceuticals. Araris Biotech is a company pioneering a proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-linker technology, where its linker platform enables payload attachment to off the shelf antibodies without needing to re-engineer or reduce antibodies, resulting in highly homogenous, stable and potent ADC therapies in a cost and time efficient manner. It also has the potential to address challenges associated to ADCs, including solubility and unstable linkage issues. The latest investment reflects Samsung’s commitment to further expanding its pipeline. Samsung, as a strategic investor, will collaborate on evaluating, manufacturing and developing assets with Araris using the Company’s proprietary ADC Technology, in close collaboration with Samsung affiliates involved in the discovery and development, and manufacturing of novel biologics. “Araris has the potential to develop best-in-class ADC therapies, and we see room for collaboration in the manufacturing and development of new drugs,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. “We’re pleased to receive this support from Samsung, as well as the recognition of the potential of our linker-payload toolbox and conjugation technology in such a quickly growing ADC field,” said Philipp Spycher, Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of Araris Biotech. “We look forward to using these proceeds to further support our efforts in advancing our ADC candidates toward the clinic.” About Araris Biotech AG Araris Biotech AG is pioneering the development of its novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-linker technology to enable efficient and precise production of ADCs. Its linker platform enables the attachment of any drug payload to ‘off the shelf’ antibodies, without the need for prior antibody engineering. The resulting ADCs have shown very high activity at low doses and an improved therapeutic index compared to multiple FDA-approved ADCs. Araris is a spin-off company from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and ETH Zurich. For more information, please visit www.ararisbiotech.com or follow Araris on Twitter and LinkedIn. Corporate Contact: Philipp Spycher, Ph.D.Chief Executive [email protected] Media Contact: Veronica EamesLifeSci Communications, [email protected] About Samsung Ventures Samsung Venture Investment Corporation was established to promote promising small and medium-sized companies engaging in the development of new technologies. Our collaboration is based on managerial know-how and trust, and actively investing in future-oriented businesses based on new and innovative technologies that are expected to serve as new growth engines. Please visit our website for more detail; https://www.samsungventure.co.kr/english_main.do.