Astellas’ affiliate Agensys expands Seattle Genetics partnership

Astellas has announced that its affiliate Agensys is to expand its ongoing drug development partnership with Seattle Genetics.

The latter company has chosen to exercise an option to co-develop a second antibody-drug conjugate, known as ASG-22ME, under the firms' pre-existing collaborative arrangement.

Developed by Agensys, the compound targets the Nectin-4 antigen found in multiple solid tumours and is set to enter early-stage clinical testing in the US to evaluate its safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic profile and tolerability.

Agensys and Seattle Genetics are also currently working together on the development of ASG-5ME, which is currently being trialled as a treatment for pancreatic and prostate cancer.

Dr Sef Kurstjens, president and chief executive officer of Agensys, said: "These two co-development programmes with Seattle Genetics … demonstrate our commitment to ADCs and the strength of our growing oncology pipeline."

Last month, it was announced that Astellas completed its acquisition of Perseid Therapeutics, a former joint venture company operated in partnership with Maxygen.