The FINANCIAL — Bayer HealthCare (Bayer) has entered into a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration with Seattle Genetics, Inc. Under the latest relationship, Bayer will get worldwide rights to utilize Seattle Genetics’ auristatin-based ADC technology with antibodies to several oncology targets, according to the Bayer AG, a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials.
“Bayer is committed to translating the science of cancers into effective therapies that can help people with cancer live longer and improve their quality of life”, said Prof. Andreas Busch, Member of the Bayer HealthCare Executive Committee and Head of Global Drug Discovery. “Antibody-drug conjugates are promising approaches in oncology which can attack tumor cells in a much more targeted way for cancer patients, such that healthy cells are less severely affected. Antibody-drug conjugates are one of our focus areas in oncology research and we are looking forward to strengthening our portfolio in this area of personalized medicine through the collaboration with Seattle Genetics,” Busch added.
ADCs are monoclonal antibodies that are functionalized in order to selectively deliver cytotoxic agents to tumor cells. Seattle Genetics has developed proprietary technology employing synthetic cytotoxic agents and stable linker systems that attach these cytotoxic agents to the antibody. Seattle Genetics’ linker systems are designed to be stable in circulation and release the potent cell-killing agent once inside targeted cancer cells. This approach is intended to spare non-targeted cells and thus reduce many of the toxic effects of traditional chemotherapy while enhancing antitumor activity, according to Bayer AG.
“We are pleased to enter into this latest ADC relationship with Bayer, a global company with a demonstrated commitment to developing cancer therapies”, said Natasha Hernday, Vice President, Corporate Development at Seattle Genetics. “This deal, along with the more than 15 ADCs in clinical development using our technology, reinforces Seattle Genetics’ leadership position in the field,” she added.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will be responsible for research, product development, manufacturing and commercialization of all products. In addition to an upfront payment and option exercise fees of up to 20 million USD, Seattle Genetics is eligible to receive up to approximately 500 million USD upon achievement of certain development and commercialization milestones, as well as royalties on worldwide net sales of any resulting products under the multi-target collaboration.
