Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., today reported preclinical data with ASG-5ME, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is being co-developed by both companies for the treatment of solid tumors. In models of human prostate and pancreatic cancer, ASG-5ME was found to have potent and long lasting antitumor activity. The findings were presented at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held in Washington, D.C.
“The collaboration between Agensys and Seattle Genetics allowed ASG-5ME to advance rapidly toward clinical trials, and we look forward to evaluating the tolerability and antitumor activity of this ADC in cancer indications that are in need of new therapeutic options.”
"ASG-5ME is one of the ADC products in Agensys' pipeline that we are advancing to the clinic. We believe that our ADC products will contribute to Astellas' growing presence in oncology," said Aya Jakobovits, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Agensys. "ASG-5ME is directed to AGS-5, an Agensys proprietary target expressed significantly in patients with prostate, pancreatic and gastric cancers, providing multiple clinical development opportunities."
"We are excited to test the potential of ASG-5ME in patients with prostate and pancreatic cancer," said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Vice President, Translational Medicine at Seattle Genetics. "The collaboration between Agensys and Seattle Genetics allowed ASG-5ME to advance rapidly toward clinical trials, and we look forward to evaluating the tolerability and antitumor activity of this ADC in cancer indications that are in need of new therapeutic options."