AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo partner on new antibody drug conjugate
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo have initiated a global agreement to develop and commercialize DS-1062, a new antibody drug conjugate targeting the TROP2 protein for cancer treatment.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has entered into a worldwide development and commercialization agreement with Japan's Daiichi Sankyo for DS-1062, an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) directed against the TROP2 protein. The drug is currently under development for the treatment of multiple tumor types.
DS-1062 is designed to treat cancers where the TROP2 protein is highly expressed. This protein is common in non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer, among others, which are strategic focus areas for AstraZeneca. The collaboration underscores AstraZeneca's investment in antibody drug conjugate technology.
AstraZeneca will pay Daiichi Sankyo an initial $1 billion in staged payments, with potential additional payments of up to $4 billion tied to regulatory approvals and sales milestones. The companies will share worldwide development and commercialization expenses and profits, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo retains exclusive rights.
Daiichi Sankyo will be responsible for the manufacture of DS-1062. The collaboration agreement became effective on July 27, 2020, and is not expected to impact AstraZeneca's financial guidance for 2020.