Seattle Genetics has received a milestone under its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration agreement with MedImmune. The milestone was triggered by MedImmune’s initiation of a phase I clinical trial of MEDI-547, its anti-EphA2 ADC for solid tumors.
Under the ADC collaboration agreement, MedImmune has exclusive rights to use Seattle Genetics’ ADC technology with monoclonal antibodies against two targets, including EphA2.
Seattle Genetics receives an upfront fee and MedImmune pays ongoing technology access and material supply fees. MedImmune has also agreed to make progress-dependent milestone payments and pay royalties on net sales of ADC products.
According to the agreement, MedImmune is responsible for research, product development, manufacturing and commercialization of any products resulting from the collaboration.
Eric Dobmeier, chief business officer of Seattle Genetics, said: “With multiple product candidates using our ADC technology now in clinical trials, and additional programs expected to advance into the clinic within the next 12 months, there is continued momentum by us and our collaborators in the development of ADCs for both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
“We believe empowered antibodies are the next step in the evolution of antibody-based therapies because they can deliver targeted cell-killing without the widespread toxicity of conventional chemotherapy, he added.