Astellas, Ambrx Initiate ADC Alliance

Astellas Pharma and Ambrx have entered into a collaboration for the discovery and development of novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which allow for the targeted delivery of drugs. Ambrx creates optimized ADCs using its site-specific conjugation technology along with linkers and payloads. Ambrx ADCs have demonstrated high potency and a wide therapeutic index in preclinical studies.
 
Ambrx will receive an upfront payment of $15 million and as much as $285 million in potential research, development, regulatory and sales milestones for an undisclosed number of targets for ADCs in oncology. Astellas will receive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ADCs for oncology. Additional terms were not disclosed.
 
“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,” said David Stover, Ph.D., senior vice president and Agensys site head.
 
Lawson Macartney, chief executive officer of Ambrx, said, “We recognize Astellas as a leader in the development of innovative therapeutics for oncology and are proud to initiate this collaboration. We look forward to developing these therapeutics while also advancing our broad pipeline of partnered and wholly owned therapeutic candidates with best-in-class conjugation.”