Seattle Genetics Expands ADC Collaboration with Millennium

Strategic Insights -

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company have expanded their existing antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration, with Millennium exercising an option to designate a second antigen target for the development of ADCs. This move demonstrates Millennium's commitment to Seattle Genetics' ADC technology, which has generated nearly $150 million from ADC licensing deals to date. Under the terms of the ADC collaboration, Millennium is responsible for research, product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any ADC products resulting from the collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

  • Seattle Genetics has 10 ongoing ADC collaborations and has generated nearly $150 million from ADC licensing deals to date.
  • The company has developed proprietary technology employing synthetic, cell-killing agents called auristatins and stable linker systems that attach auristatin to the antibody.
  • Seattle Genetics' novel linker systems are designed to be stable in the bloodstream and release the potent cell-killing agent once inside targeted cancer cells.
  • The company has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights for brentuximab vedotin, an ADC directed to CD30, while Takeda has rights to commercialize the product in the rest of the world.
  • Seattle Genetics has four other clinical-stage programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME, dacetuzumab (SGN-40), and SGN-70.

Statistics:

  • Nearly $150 million generated from ADC licensing deals to date.
  • 10 ongoing ADC collaborations.
  • 11 ADCs in clinical development utilizing Seattle Genetics' technology.
  • Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights for brentuximab vedotin.

Sources:

  • Seattle Genetics, Inc. Press Release, April 2009.
  • Copyright 2011, Pharma Business Week via NewsRx.com. (Note: This source has no explicit date, only a copyright year)
  • Seattle Genetics, Inc. Website, www.seattlegenetics.com.
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, TSE:4502.
  • Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.