Mogamulizumab, which is branded as ‘POTELIGEO Injection’, is a novel, humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), which is over-expressed on various malignant T cells, including PTCL and CTCL cells.
Developed by Kyowa Hakko Kirin’s POTELLIGENT technology, the antibody is designed to kill its target cells through potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
The antibody has also received orphan drug designations for the treatment of PTCL and CTCL in March 2013 from the MHLW.
In May 2012, the antibody was launched in Japan as ‘POTELIGIO Injection 20 mg’ for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory CCR4-positive ATL and is being investigated world-wide in several clinical studies for other potential indications.
The company has four strategic categories including the oncology area, and is endeavoring to contribute to the treatment of cancer patients through the further development of anticancer agents.
CCR4 is one of the chemokine receptors involved in leukocyte migration, selectively expressed in type 2 helper T (Th2) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells and it is also shown to be over-expressed in certain hematological malignancies.