Genentech achieves development milestone for cancer drug

Genentech and its collaborative partner Seattle Genetics have met a development milestone with the submission of an application to the Food and Drug Administration relating to a cancer drug.

The company has put forward an investigational new drug application to the regulator for the treatment, which is based on Seattle Genetics’ proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology.

Under the terms of the companies’ collaboration, this means that the genetics firm is now entitled to receive a milestone payment.

Eric Dobmeier, chief business officer of Seattle Genetics, expressed satisfaction with the progress Genentech is making in the development of its treatment technology.

He said: “We believe this further demonstrates the potential of ADCs to play an increasingly important role in the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases.”

Last month, Genentech stated that it will be continuing with the development of its stomach cancer drug Avastin, despite the treatment having missed its primary endpoint target in a phase III clinical trial.