payload
/ˈpeɪ.loʊd/
Definition
The active, therapeutic drug component attached to a targeting molecule in a cancer treatment, designed to be delivered directly to diseased cells.
Etymology
Derived from the mid-19th-century nautical and technical term 'pay' (meaning to reward or cover expenses) and 'load,' originally referring to the portion of a cargo that generates revenue. It evolved in the 20th century to describe the functional part of a rocket or missile, and now metaphorically describes the active cargo of medical conjugates.
In the news
In this article, the word refers to the specialized, tumor-killing molecules that Myricx Bio engineers to be delivered via antibodies. These payloads are the central innovation being acquired by Novartis to improve cancer therapy effectiveness.
Brandon Capital Announces Agreement for Novartis to Acquire Portfolio Company Myricx Bio to Advance New Class of Cancer Therapeutics
Read the full article ↗markets.businessinsider.com