VERAXA Biotech Enters Co-discovery Alliance with OmniAb for a Novel Bispecific Antibody Drug Conjugate Program

Rhea-AI Summary

VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VACH) has announced a co-discovery alliance with OmniAb (NASDAQ: OABI) to develop novel bispecific antibody drug conjugates (bsADCs) targeting solid tumors. The collaboration combines OmniAb's transgenic antibody discovery solutions with VERAXA's proprietary ADC linker technology and conjugation expertise.

Under the agreement, VERAXA will initiate a bsADC program addressing two target molecules in cancer medicine, utilizing OmniAb's antibody discovery solutions and VERAXA's linker technology. Both companies will jointly own the program and share future revenues from development, licensing, and commercialization. This marks VERAXA's second major partnership within six months, following a radiopharmaceutical alliance.

Positive

• Strategic partnership combines complementary technologies for novel cancer therapies
• Joint ownership and revenue sharing structure for the bsADC program
• Second major partnership within six months, showing strong business development momentum

Negative

• Early-stage discovery program with no immediate revenue impact
• Success dependent on clinical validation and regulatory approvals
• Revenue sharing arrangement may limit potential financial upside

Insights

Biotech Research Analyst

VERAXA-OmniAb alliance combines complementary technologies for bispecific ADCs, strengthening VERAXA's position ahead of SPAC merger with revenue-sharing potential.

This strategic collaboration brings together OmniAb's antibody discovery platform with VERAXA's ADC technology to develop bispecific antibody-drug conjugates (bsADCs) targeting solid tumors. The partnership creates potential value through joint ownership and revenue sharing of any resulting programs. For VERAXA, this represents their second major partnership within six months, following their radiopharmaceutical alliance announced late last year.

The bispecific ADC approach represents a technological advancement over traditional ADCs. While conventional ADCs target a single tumor antigen, bispecific versions can engage two different targets simultaneously, potentially enhancing tumor selectivity and reducing off-target effects. This dual-targeting strategy could address key limitations faced by current ADCs in solid tumors.

From a corporate perspective, this alliance holds strategic significance for VERAXA as a proposed acquisition target of Voyager Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ: VACH). Securing partnerships with established industry players like OmniAb demonstrates VERAXA's ability to execute business development initiatives and potentially enhances their value proposition in the pending SPAC transaction.

The structure of the deal—with both companies sharing ownership and future revenue—suggests mutual confidence in the program's potential. While still in the discovery phase with preclinical validation ahead, this collaboration aligns with the broader industry trend toward partnership-driven innovation in next-generation cancer therapeutics.

Oncology Expert

Novel bispecific ADC collaboration tackles solid tumor challenges through dual-targeting approach, combining optimized antibodies with specialized conjugation technology.

This collaboration merges two complementary technology platforms to develop bispecific antibody-drug conjugates (bsADCs) for solid tumors. The approach represents a significant advancement over traditional ADCs by simultaneously engaging two target molecules rather than one, potentially addressing fundamental challenges in solid tumor treatment.

The technical synergy is noteworthy: OmniAb's transgenic antibody discovery platform generates fully human antibodies optimized through in vivo affinity maturation, providing candidates with potentially superior binding properties and reduced immunogenicity. VERAXA's proprietary linker technology and conjugation expertise will be critical for attaching cytotoxic payloads to these antibodies with appropriate stability and controlled release profiles.

While conventional ADCs have shown clinical success in certain cancers, they face limitations in solid tumors due to heterogeneous target expression, stromal barriers, and narrow therapeutic windows. The dual-targeting mechanism of bsADCs could theoretically improve several parameters:

• Enhanced tumor selectivity through AND-gate logic (requiring both targets)
• Reduced off-target toxicity by increasing targeting specificity
• Better addressing of tumor heterogeneity by engaging multiple antigens

The program currently remains in the discovery phase with preclinical validation ahead. While no specific solid tumor indications are disclosed, this approach could potentially address various difficult-to-treat cancers where single-targeted therapies have shown limited efficacy.

Partnership Combines VERAXA's Proprietary ADC Technology with OmniAb's Antibody Discovery Technology for Novel Therapies Targeting Solid Tumors

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VERAXA Biotech AG (“VERAXA”), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies and proposed de-SPAC acquisition target of Voyager Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: VACH, "Voyager"), announced today a co-discovery alliance with OmniAb, Inc. (NASDAQ: OABI, “OmniAb”) for the development of a novel bispecific antibody drug conjugate (“bsADC”) program targeting solid tumors. The collaboration brings together OmniAb’s suite of transgenic antibody discovery solutions with VERAXA’s proprietary antibody drug conjugate (“ADC”) linker technology and conjugation expertise to support next-generation therapeutic discovery.

“This partnership brings together two highly complementary technologies to create a new class of bispecific ADCs,” commented Christoph Antz, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of VERAXA. “Bispecific ADCs represent a powerful opportunity to address difficult-to-treat solid tumors, and this collaboration fits squarely within our mission to drive innovation through targeted partnerships. Strategic collaborations will continue to be a mainstay in VERAXA’s pipeline growth strategy, and today’s announcement marks the second major initiative within the past six months, following our first radiopharmaceutical alliance late last year. We look forward to advancing this discovery program alongside OmniAb and deliver novel therapeutic solutions for patients with significant unmet needs.”

Under the terms of the agreement, VERAXA will initiate a novel bispecific antibody drug conjugate program addressing two attractive target molecules in cancer medicine. The Company will utilize OmniAb's suite of transgenic antibody discovery solutions to source high-quality human antibody leads, which are naturally optimized through in vivo affinity maturation. VERAXA will subsequently establish the bsADC lead candidate by applying its proprietary linker technology and conjugation routine and will be responsible for preclinical validation. The resulting bsADC program will be jointly owned by both parties. Both parties will share any future revenues resulting from the program’s continued development, licensing and commercialization.

About VERAXA Biotech

At VERAXA, we are building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific ADCs, bispecific T cell engagers and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles, we are rapidly advancing our pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technologies. For more information, please visit www.veraxa.com.

On April 22, 2025, VERAXA entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement") with Voyager Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company and special purpose acquisition company targeting the healthcare sector (NASDAQ: VACH, "Voyager"). Upon closing of the Business Combination Agreement, VERAXA is expected to become a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ.

About Voyager Acquisition Corp.

Voyager is a special purpose acquisition company with a bold mission: to revolutionize the healthcare sector through a merger, stock purchase, or business combination. Our team of experienced executives includes unparalleled expertise in investing, operations, and medical innovation, supported by a vast network of connections. With these strengths, we not only seek to drive success but commit to scaling companies to unprecedented heights in the healthcare industry. For more information, please visit https://www.voyageracq.com.

Participants In the Solicitation

Voyager, VERAXA, and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Voyager’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of Voyager’s directors and officers in Voyager’s filings with the SEC, including, when filed with the SEC, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, amendments and supplements thereto, and other documents filed with the SEC. Such information with respect to VERAXA’s directors and executive officers will also be included in the proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described below under the heading "Additional Information and Where to Find It".

Non-Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Voyager or VERAXA, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about future events or Voyager’s or VERAXA’s future financial or operating performance. For example, statements regarding VERAXA’s anticipated growth and the anticipated growth and other metrics, statements regarding the benefits of the Business Combination, and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Business Combination are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “project,” “strive,” “budget,” “forecast,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.

These forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future results of Voyager and VERAXA are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry in which VERAXA operates, as well as the beliefs and assumptions of Voyager’s management and VERAXA’s management. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to, without limitation, (i) known and unknown risks, including the risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of Voyager relating to its initial public offering filed with the SEC, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Voyager; (ii) uncertainties; (iii) assumptions; and (iv) other factors beyond Voyager’s or VERAXA’s control that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. They are neither statements of historical fact nor promises or guarantees of future performance. Therefore, VERAXA’s actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and Voyager and VERAXA therefore caution against relying on any of these forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Voyager and its management, VERAXA and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and are inherently subject to risks, variability and contingencies, many of which are beyond Voyager’s or VERAXA’s control. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement and any subsequent definitive agreements with respect to the Business Combination; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Voyager, VERAXA, or others following the announcement of the Business Combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (iii) the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain consents and approvals of the shareholders of Voyager, to obtain financing to complete the Business Combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing, or delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; (iv) changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the Business Combination; (v) projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and expectations, and the estimated implied enterprise value of VERAXA; (vi) VERAXA’s ability to scale and grow its business, and the advantages and expected growth of VERAXA; (vii) VERAXA’s ability to source and retain talent, the cash position of VERAXA following closing of the Business Combination; (viii) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards in connection with, and following, the consummation of the Business Combination; (ix) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of VERAXA as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (x) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of VERAXA to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; (xi) costs related to the Business Combination; (xii) changes in applicable laws, regulations, political and economic developments; (xiii) the possibility that VERAXA may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (xiv) VERAXA’s estimates of expenses and profitability; (xv) the failure to realize estimated shareholder redemptions, purchase price and other adjustments; and (xvi) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the filings by Voyager with the SEC. There may be additional risks that neither Voyager nor VERAXA presently know or that Voyager and VERAXA currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Voyager or VERAXA speak only as of the date they are made. None of Voyager or VERAXA undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in their respective expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the Business Combination Agreement, Voyager and/or VERAXA intend to file relevant materials with the SEC, including the Registration Statement, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus of Voyager, and will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or any other document that Voyager has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. When available, the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials for the proposed transaction will be mailed or made available to stockholders of Voyager as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed transaction.

Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and stockholders of Voyager are urged to carefully read, when they become available, the entire registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, because they will contain important information about Voyager, VERAXA, and the proposed transaction. Voyager’s investors and stockholders and other interested persons will also be able to obtain copies of the registration statement, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, and all other relevant documents filed with the SEC by Voyager in connection with the Transaction, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to Voyager at the address set forth below.

Contact

VERAXA Biotech AG	Voyager Acquisition Corp.
Dr. Christoph Antz CEO Telephone: +49-6221-3521330 Email: antz@veraxa.com	Mr. Adeel Rouf Chief Executive Officer, and Director Email: adeel@voyageracq.com
For Media Mario Brkulj Valency Communications Telephone: +49 160 9352 9951 Email: mbrkulj@valencycomms.eu	For Investors Jim Polson FTI Consulting Email: jim.polson@FTIconsulting.com
Robert Stanislaro FTI Consulting Email: robert.stanislaro@fticonsulting.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of VERAXA Biotech's partnership with OmniAb?

The partnership aims to develop novel bispecific antibody drug conjugates (bsADCs) targeting solid tumors by combining OmniAb's antibody discovery solutions with VERAXA's ADC linker technology.

How will the revenue be shared in the VACH-OmniAb partnership?

Both VERAXA and OmniAb will share future revenues resulting from the program's development, licensing, and commercialization, with joint ownership of the bsADC program.

What technologies does VERAXA Biotech bring to the collaboration?

VERAXA brings its proprietary antibody drug conjugate (ADC) linker technology and conjugation expertise to the partnership.

How many major partnerships has VERAXA Biotech announced recently?

This is VERAXA's second major partnership within six months, following a previous radiopharmaceutical alliance announced late last year.

What is VERAXA's role in the bsADC development program?

VERAXA will initiate the program, use OmniAb's antibody discovery solutions, apply its proprietary linker technology and conjugation routine, and be responsible for preclinical validation.