Pharmaceutical innovation and advanced biotechnology in the biotech-pharmaceutical industry for antibody–drug conjugate development

•Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is a class of biotherapeutics combining antibody specificity with the targeted delivery of payloads for the treatment of both cancer and noncancer diseases.•Thirteen ADCs have now been approved for oncological application with over 200 candidate ADCs in clinical trials to meet clinical challenges.•Advanced technologies from biopharmaceutical companies lead to the development of multi-formats of ADCs including bispecific ADCs, acidic pH-responsive ADCs, target-degrader ADCs, and immunostimulatory ADCs.•The prosperity of biopharmaceutical ADC industries benefits patients suffering from cancer and other medical diseases. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), from prototypes in the 1980s to first- and second-generation products in the 2000s, and now in their multiformats, have progressed tremendously to meet oncological challenges. Currently, 13 ADCs have been approved for medical practice, with over 200 candidates in clinical trials. Moreover, ADCs have evolved into different formats, including bispecific ADCs, probody–drug conjugates, pH-responsive ADCs, target-degrading ADCs, and immunostimulating ADCs. Technologies from biopharmaceutical industries have a crucial role in the clinical transition of these novel biotherapeutics. In this review, we highlight several features contributing to the prosperity of bioindustrial ADC development. Various proprietary technologies from biopharmaceutical companies are discussed. Such advances in biopharmaceutical industries are the backbone for the success of ADCs in development and clinical application.