AstraZeneca’s MedImmune agrees Spirogen acquisition

AstraZeneca has announced that its global biologics research and development arm MedImmune is acquiring the privately-held biotechnology company Spirogen.

Focused on antibody-drug conjugate technology for use in oncology, Spirogen is responsible for the development of a proprietary pyrrolobenzodiazepine technology that attaches highly potent cytotoxic agents to specific cancer-targeting antibodies.

In addition to the takeover, MedImmune has entered into a collaboration agreement with ADC Therapeutics – which has an existing licensing agreement with Spirogen – to jointly develop two of ADC's antibody-drug conjugate programmes in preclinical development, as well as making an equity investment in the firm.

Dr Bahija Jallal, executive vice-president at MedImmune, said: "The cutting-edge technologies developed by Spirogen and ADC Therapeutics complement MedImmune's innovative antibody engineering capabilities, enabling us to accelerate antibody-drug conjugates into the clinic."

This comes after MedImmune completed its acquisition of Amplimmune – a specialist developer of novel therapeutics in cancer immunology – earlier this month as part its wider efforts to enhance its oncology portfolio.