Ambrx Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative protein therapeutics and BeiGene, Ltd., a commercialstage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, have announced a global research and development collaboration.

Ambrx has developed proprietary Expanded Genetic Code technology platforms designed to allow the efficient incorporation of non-natural amino acids into proteins in both E. Coli (ReCODEP TMP) and CHO cells (EuCODEP TMP).

This technology enables site-specific modification of proteins to create potentially first- and/or best-in-class innovative protein drugs. The collaboration leverages Ambrx’s clinically validated drug discovery technology platforms with BeiGene’s expertise and resources to pursue the development and commercialization of next-generation biologics drugs.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ambrx will receive an upfront payment of $10 million to fund the initial discovery and research activities and additional upfront payments of up to $19 million if BeiGene elects to initiate additional programs.

Ambrx is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments up to an aggregate of $446 million for all programs, in addition to tiered royalties on future global sales. BeiGene will have worldwide rights to develop and commercialize any drug products resulting from the collaboration.