Dutch biotech Synaffix has signed a $2 billion licensing agreement with Amgen to bring a new generation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) to market.

In addition to upfront payments, the deal offers Synaffix the potential for additional payments in royalties on commercial sales.

Amgen gains access to Synaffix’s proprietary ADC technologies — GlycoConnect, HydraSpace and select toxSYN linkers — for one ADC program. The linkers are used to attach highly active molecules to an antibody. The company also has an option to exercise research and commercial licenses for an additional four programs.

The deal calls for Amgen to handle all research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the ADCs, while Synaffix will continue to manufacture the components of the ADC compounds.