Seattle Genetics and Bayer Collaborate on Antibody-Drug Conjugate Technology

Seattle Genetics, Inc., a company specializing in the discovery and development of monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics, has formed a strategic collaboration with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation to utilize Seattle Genetics' proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. The ADC technology enables the targeting of specific tumor cells with potent, cell-killing payloads. Under the terms of the multi-year license agreement, Bayer has paid a $2.0 million fee and will make progress-dependent milestone payments and royalties on net sales of resulting ADC products.

Key Takeaways:

Seattle Genetics has licensed its proprietary ADC technology to Bayer, granting the latter rights to utilize the technology to develop ADC products.
The ADC technology utilizes monoclonal antibodies to target specific tumor cells, delivering potent, cell-killing payloads to these cells.
The linkers employed in the ADC technology are stable in the bloodstream and release the drug payload once inside target cells.
Seattle Genetics has developed improved ADC technology employing synthetic, highly potent drugs that can be attached to antibodies through proprietary linker systems.
The collaboration between Seattle Genetics and Bayer aims to increase the therapeutic potential of antibodies with targeting ability but limited or no inherent cell-killing activity.
Seattle Genetics will receive material supply and annual maintenance fees, as well as research support payments, from Bayer for assistance in developing ADC products.
The collaboration will enable the development of new ADC products for the treatment of various human diseases.

Statistics:

$2.0 million: The fee paid by Bayer to Seattle Genetics for the license to ADC technology.
Multiple years: The duration of the license agreement between Seattle Genetics and Bayer.

Sources:

NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net
Seattle Genetics, Inc.
Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Biotech Business Week editors