Astellas, Ambrx in US $300m cancer antibody agreement

Hannah Blake

pharmaphorum

Astellas Pharma has entered into a collaboration with Ambrx for the discovery and development of novel antibody drug conjugates, or ADCs. Antibody drug conjugates use antibodies as a delivery mechanism for a toxin, typically for cancer.

Under terms of the agreement, Ambrx will get an initial payment of US $15 million and up to US $285 million more in various in research, development, regulatory and sales milestones. Some of these milestones, and eventual royalties on sales, depend on getting drugs to the market. Astellas will receive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ADCs for oncology.

"Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Astellas which specializes in therapeutic antibody research and development in cancer, has significant experience with ADCs as oncology therapeutics and is looking to further expand its capabilities in this area. Ambrx offers a novel approach to allow creation of site-specific and highly stable conjugations that have the potential to further optimize drug delivery to tumor cells."

David Stover, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Agensys Site Head.