Seattle Genetics and Agensys, have reported an expansion of their antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration. Under the amended agreement, Agensys will pay a $12m fee for exclusive rights to ADC licenses against additional antigen targets. Seattle Genetics also receives an option to co-develop another ADC at the time of investigational new drug (IND) submission.
Seattle Genetics and Agensys originally entered into the ADC collaboration in January 2007, under which the companies agreed to co-develop and co-fund an initial ADC program, ASG-5ME, and share equally in any profits upon commercialisation.
Agensys also received the right to obtain exclusive ADC licenses to three other cancer targets, and Seattle Genetics received the right to exercise an option to co-develop and commercialise any one of those additional ADC programs at IND submission in exchange for 50:50 cost and profit-sharing.
For ADC programs solely developed and commercialised by Agensys/Astellas, Seattle Genetics is entitled to receive fees, milestones and royalties.
Under the expanded collaboration, Agensys receives the right to obtain exclusive ADC licenses for multiple additional targets in exchange for payment of the upfront fee. Seattle Genetics also receives an option for 50:50 cost and profit-sharing of a third ADC program at IND filing.
The remaining ADC programs will be developed and commercialised exclusively by Agensys. Seattle Genetics is entitled to progress-dependent fees, milestone payments and mid-single digit royalties on worldwide net sales of ADC products developed and commercialised solely by Agensys.
Under the terms of the amendment, Seattle Genetics is eligible to receive up to $250m in development milestones and $100m in sales milestones if all of the additional ADC programs are successful.