Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN), announced today that it has
achieved a milestone under its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)
collaboration agreement with MedImmune, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary
of AstraZeneca. The milestone was triggered by MedImmune’s initiation of
a phase I clinical trial of MEDI-547, its anti-EphA2 ADC for solid
tumors.
“With multiple product candidates using our ADC technology now in
clinical trials, and additional programs expected to advance into the
clinic within the next 12 months, there is continued momentum by us and
our collaborators in the development of ADCs for both hematologic
malignancies and solid tumors,” said Eric L. Dobmeier, Chief Business
Officer of Seattle Genetics. “We believe empowered antibodies are the
next step in the evolution of antibody-based therapies because they can
deliver targeted cell-killing without the widespread toxicity of
conventional chemotherapy.”
ADCs utilize the targeting ability of monoclonal antibodies to deliver
potent, cell-killing payloads to specific cells. Seattle Genetics’
technology employs synthetic, highly potent drugs attached to antibodies
through proprietary linker systems. The linkers are designed to be
stable in the bloodstream but to release the drug payload under specific
conditions once inside target cells, thereby sparing non-target cells
many of the toxic effects of traditional chemotherapy.
Under the ADC collaboration agreement, MedImmune has exclusive rights to
use Seattle Genetics' ADC technology with monoclonal antibodies against
two targets, including EphA2. Seattle Genetics received an upfront fee
and MedImmune pays ongoing technology access and material supply fees.
MedImmune has also agreed to make progress-dependent milestone payments
and pay royalties on net sales of ADC products. MedImmune is responsible
for research, product development, manufacturing and commercialization
of any products resulting from the collaboration.
Seattle Genetics is advancing a proprietary pipeline of ADC programs,
including brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), which is in an ongoing pivotal
trial for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and a phase II trial
for systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
