Takeda strengthens cancer focus with Mersana ADC deal

Takeda is ramping up its presence in oncology, having signed a deal with antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) specialist Mersana Therapeutics via subsidiary Millennium Pharmaceuticals.

In an interview with Scrip in February, senior vice-president and global head of Takeda's oncology therapy area unit, Dr Michael Vasconcelles, noted the emphasis Takeda is currently putting on oncology R&D, and the resources being poured into it (scripintelligence.com, 27 February 2014). The deal with Mersana is further evidence of Takeda's commitment to the area, which the Japanese major hopes will plug the hole left by loss of exclusivity on blockbuster antidiabetic Actos (pioglitazone).

Mersana has a biodegradable polymer system known as Fleximer. The technology links a drug to Fleximer, which is then linked to an antibody to create an ADC. A novel linker system is designed to be stable in the blood stream and release anti-tumor drugs once inside the targeted cancer cell, minimizing side-effects.

Takeda will pay an undisclosed upfront payment to Mersana for the rights to use the Fleximer platform to develop ADC candidates, and Mersana will also be eligible to receive milestones and royalties on any resulting products. Under the terms of the deal, Mersana is responsible for conducting research and creating ADCs that are conjugates of Takeda's antibodies and Mersana's payload platforms. Takeda, in addition to providing antibodies, will be responsible for product development, manufacturing and commercialization of any Fleximer-ADC products.

Takeda has already had some success with ADCs. Its lymphoma drug Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) is on the market in the US for two indications: as a treatment of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant; and as a treatment for relapsed or refractory systemic large cell lymphoma. The drug made the company JPY9.5bn in the nine months to December 2013 (around $90m).

ADC activity

ADCs have recently become a major focus for deal activity, following the approval of Kadcyla, the Genentech (Roche) ADC that links the blockbuster oncology drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) and a targeted chemotherapy agent developed by ImmunoGen (scripintelligence.com, 20 November 2013).

Kadcyla and Adcetris are the only two ADCs currently approved and on the market, after Pfizer's Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) was withdrawn from the market due to safety concerns (scripintelligence.com, 22 June 2010).

However, interest in the segment is high and there is a rich pipeline of ADCs in development (see table). Mersana itself has signed major deals with Teva and Endo, as well as Takeda (scripintelligence.com, 8 March 2012).

Immunogen continues to be a major player in the space as the originator of five product candidates and a partner on a further two. Seattle Genetics is involved in 18 ADC development projects. According to Datamonitor, ImmunoGen and Seattle Genetics combined account for over 60% of the ADC candidates in development.

Of the big pharmas, Roche is dominating the scene at the moment, involved in the development of nine candidates. The company inked its latest ADC deal with Heidelberg Pharma in September last year (scripintelligence.com, 2 September 2013). Bayer and AstraZeneca have also signed ADC deals in the last year (scripintelligence.com, 15 October 2013 & 25 June 2013).

ADC Pipeline

Source: Citeline Pharmaprojects

Drug	Comments	Originator	Partner	Global Status
Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine)	Kadcyla is a conjugate of Genentech's trastuzumab and ImmunoGen's maytansinoid DM1, a microtubule inhibitor, developed by Genentech (Roche) as an anticancer. It is directed to cells overexpressing HER2.	Hoffmann-La Roche	ImmunoGen	Launched
Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin)	Adcetris is an antibody-linked drug conjugate developed by Seattle Genetics for the treatment of hematologic malignancies, including Hodgkin's lymphoma and some types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma expressing CD30, such as anaplastic large cell lymphoma. It consists of an anti-CD30 MAb attached to monomethyl auristatin E via a protease-sensitive linker. Auristatin E is a synthetic analog of the natural product dolastatin-10, and prevents cell division by the inhibition of tubulin polymerization.	Seattle Genetics	Takeda	Launched
Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin)	Mylotarg is an immunotoxin containing a recombinant humanized IgG4 kappa MAb against the myeloid progenitor cell-specific antigen, CD33, linked to the cytotoxic agent calicheamicin, isolated from fermentation of Micromonospora echinospora subspecies, developed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (now Pfizer) and UCB (Celltech before the acquisition) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. The anti-CD33 hP67.6 antibody is produced by mammalian cell suspension culture using a myeloma NS0 cell line and purified to remove/inactivate viruses.	Pfizer	UCBAmgen	Launched
moxetumomab pasudotox	Moxetumomab pasudotox is a recombinant immunotoxin consisting of a disulfide-linked Fv antibody fragment conjugated to Pseudomonas exotoxin PE38, under development by Cambridge Antibody Technology (MedImmune (AstraZeneca)) for the treatment of CD22-expressing hematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is an improved, higher affinity, 2nd-generation version of CAT-3888. It was previously under development by Genencor.	Genencor	AstraZeneca	Phase III
inotuzumab ozogamicin	Inotuzumab ozogamicin is an anti-CD22 antibody-calicheamicin conjugate, under development by Pfizer and UCB for the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia.	Pfizer	UCB	Phase III
SC16LD6.5	SC16LD6.5 is an antibody-drug conjugate, under development by Stem CentRx for the treatment of small cell lung cancer. It comprises the antibody, SC16, conjugated to a potent DNA-damaging agent, D6.5.	Stem CentRx		Phase II
SAR-3419	SAR-3419 is a humanized anti-CD19 MAb, conjugated to the maytansinoid cytotoxic agent DM4, under development by Sanofi and ImmunoGen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.	ImmunoGen	Sanofi	Phase II
RG-7599	RG-7599 is a antibody-drug conjugate under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche) in partnership with Seattle Genetics for the treatment of cancer. The MAb component targets the phosphate carrier, NaPiB2.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase II
Resimmune	Resimmune is an antibody-immunotoxin conjugate, under development by Angimmune for the treatment of cancer. It consists of diphtheria toxin attached to an antibody that specifically targets CD3e-positive malignant T-cells.	Angimmune		Phase II
PSMA ADC	PSMA ADC is an antibody-drug conjugate, under development by PSMA Development Company using Seattle Genetics proprietary antibody-drug conjugate technology, directed at prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for the treatment of prostate cancer. It consists of a fully-human MAb conjugated to an anti-mitotic agent monomethyl-auristatin-E.	Progenics Pharmaceuticals	Seattle Genetics	Phase II
polatuzumab vedotin	Polatuzumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of a humanized IgG1 anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate targeting CD79b to an anti-mitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche) in partnership with Seattle Genetics for the treatment of B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase II
pinatuzumab vedotin	Pinatuzumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate that consists of a humanized IgG1 anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody, conjugated to an anti-mitotic agent, monomethyl auristatin E under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche) using Seattle Genetics' ADC technology for the treatment of hematological malignancies. It targets DNA replication.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase II
IMMU-110, milatuzumab-doxorubicin	IMMU-110 is an immunoconjugate consisting of the anti-CD74 humanized antibody milatuzumab conjugated to doxorubicin, under development by Immunomedics for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Naked anti-CD-74 and yttrium-90-labelled anti-CD-74 are also under development.	Immunomedics		Phase II
T-Guard (MAbCD3-dgA and MAbCD7-dgA)	T-Guard (MAbCD3-dgA and MAbCD7-dgA), is a combination of immunotoxins, under development by Xenikos for the treatment of graft-vs-host disease. The immunotoxins consist of anti-CD3 and anti-CD7 MAbs conjugated to recombinant ricin-A chain, and the combination is expected to have reduced toxicity and increased efficacy compared to other single immunotoxins.	Henogen	Xenikos	Phase II
labetuzumab-SN-38	Immunomedics is developing an antibody-drug conjugate of the humanized MAb labetuzumab and SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan hydrochloride, for the treatment of lung, breast and colorectal cancer. The conjugate is designed to selectively deliver SN-38 to tumors, while minimizing the damage to other tissues and organs. Immunoconjugates of labetuzumab and derivatives of SN-38 are also being investigated. Two improved bifunctional immunoconjugates, consisting of labetuzumab conjugated to CL2-SN-38 and its ethyl carbonate CL2-SN-38(Et) are also under investigation.	Immunomedics		Phase II
L-DOS-47	L-DOS-47 is an antibody conjugate of DOS-47, under development by Helix BioPharma for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of NSCLC. The conjugate, which uses an antibody developed by the Institute for Biological Sciences of the National Research Council of Canada, was designed to be specific to lung adenocarcinoma cells with minimal cross-reactivity to other tissues. It comprises a conjugate of jack bean urease to the single domain AFAIKL2 fragment. AFAIKL2 localises L-DOS-47 to the tumor site by binding to CEACAM6 where the urease creates a cytotoxic microenvironment at the cancer location.	Helix BioPharma		Phase II
hRS7-SN-38	Immunomedics is developing an immunoconjugate of humanized MAb hRS7 and SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan, for the treatment of lung and colorectal cancer. The conjugate is designed to selectively deliver SN-38 to tumors, increasing the amount of drug reaching the tumors while minimizing the damage to other tissues and organs. Two improved bifunctional immunoconjugates, consisting of hRS7 conjugated to CL2-SN-38 and its ethyl carbonate CL2-SN-38(Et) are also under investigation. The antibody RS7 targets the TROP-2 antigen which is conjugated to SN-38.	Immunomedics		Phase II
glembatumumab vedotin	Glembatumumab vedotin is a fully-human IgG2 MAb-drug conjugate targeting GPNMB, under development by CuraGen (Celldex Therapeutics) for the treatment of breast cancer and metastatic melanoma. It delivers monomethyl auristatin-E via iv administration.	Celldex Therapeutics	AmgenSeattle Genetics	Phase II
CDX-1401	CDX-1401 is under development by Celldex Therapeutics for the treatment of malignant melanoma, ovarian cancer and a variety of solid tumors, using its APC Targeting Technology. It consists of a DEC-205-specific human MAb linked to the NY-ESO-1 tumor antigen. It is intended to deliver the NY-ESO-1 antigen to dendritic cells, where it stimulates the immune response against the antigen.	Celldex Therapeutics		Phase II
BT-062	BT-062 is a conjugate of a Biotest chimaeric MAb targeting CD138 and ImmunoGen's cell-killing agent maytansinoid derivates (DM1 and DM4), under development by Biotest for the treatment of multiple myeloma and other cancers. CD138 is expressed on differentiated plasma cells and is involved in the development and/or proliferation of MM.	Biotest	ImmunoGen	Phase II
SGN-LIV1A	SGN-LIV1A is an anti-LIV-1 antibody-drug conjugate under development by Seattle Genetics for the treatment of triple-negative breast. The humanized anti-LIV-1 MAb conjugates to the antitubulin agent monomethyl auristatin E via a plasma stable, enzyme-cleavable linker (vc). It was previously under development for prostate cancer.	Seattle Genetics		Phase I
SGN-CD33A	SGN-CD33A is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting CD33, under development by Seattle Genetics using its ADC technology for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. The CD33 antibody is attached to pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer via a site-specific conjugation technology to a monoclonal antibody with engineered cysteines.	Seattle Genetics		Phase I
SGN-19A	SGN-19A is an anti-CD19 antibody-drug conjugate under development by Seattle Genetics for the treatment of CD19+ hematological malignancies. The CD19 antigen is a pan-B-cell marker expressed on many hematological malignancies, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.	Seattle Genetics		Phase I
SAR-566658	SAR-566658 is an immunotoxin comprising the murine MAb DS6 conjugated to DM1, a maytansinoid cell-killing agent, under development by ImmunoGen for the treatment of solid tumors, including breast, lung and ovarian cancers. DS6 targets CA6, a tumor-associated O-linked glycotope on MUC-1.	ImmunoGen	Sanofi	Phase I
RG-7636	RG-7636 is an anti-ETBR antibody-drug conjugate under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche), in partnership with Seattle Genetics, for the treatment of cancer.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
RG-7600	RG-7600 is an antibody-drug conjugate, under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche) in partnership with Seattle Genetics, for the treatment of cancer.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
RG-7598	RG-7598 is an antibody-drug conjugate under development by Hoffmann-La Roche in collaboration with Seattle Genetics for the treatment of multiple myeloma.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
RG-7450	RG-7450 is an anti-STEAP1 antibody-drug conjugate that consists of a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against STEAP1, a six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1, conjugated to an anti-mitotic agent, monomethyl auristatin E under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche), using technology licensed from Seattle Genetics, for the treatment of prostate cancer.	Astellas	Hoffmann-La RocheSeattle Genetics	Phase I
PF-06263507	PF-06263507 is an antibody drug conjugate under development by Pfizer for the treatment of cancer. It consists of a humanized anti-5T4 antibody A1 conjugated to the tubulin inhibitor monomethylauristatin F via a maleimidocaproyl linker.	Oxford BioMedica	Pfizer	Phase I
NHS-IL12	NHS-IL12 is an immunocytokine, under development by Merck KGaA for the treatment of solid tumors. It is composed of two IL-12 heterodimers, each fused to one of the H-chains of the NHS76 antibody, which has affinity for both single- and double-stranded DNA and targets the DNA fragments released from the necrotic cells. It delivers a high, localized dose of human interleukin 12, thereby activating a cellular immune response.	Merck KGaA		Phase I
MLN-0264	MLN-0264 is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting guanylyl cyclase C a protein expressed on normal and malignant intestinal epithelial cells, under development by Millenium Biologix (Takeda) using Seattle Genetic's proprietary ADC technology for the treatment of solid tumors. It consists of a selective fully human MAb to GCC conjugated to the cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E via a cleavable linker. Monomethyl auristatin E is an antimitotic agent which inhibits cell division by blocking the polymerisation of tubulin.	Seattle Genetics	Takeda	Phase I
MDX-1203	MDX-1203 is an antibody-drug conjugate under development by Medarex (Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the treatment of cancer. The antibody targets CD70 and is linked to a duocarmycin. The alkylating agent is composed of an antitumor compound, containing an ester linked protecting group, and a maleimide containing cleavable peptide linker designed to facilitate conjugation to the antibody.	Bristol-Myers Squibb		Phase I
IMGN-853	IMGN-853 is an antibody-DMx-type tumor-activated prodrug under development by ImmunoGen for the treatment of solid tumors. It targets folate receptor 1. IMGN-853 is an M9346A antibody conjugated to DM4 cleavable linker through sulfo-SPDB.	ImmunoGen		Phase I
IMGN-529	IMGN-529 is a tumor-activated prodrug under development by ImmunoGen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. It is specific for an undisclosed target highly restricted to B-cells and B-cell tumors. It contains a novel anti-CD37 antibody K7153A with direct cytolytic and immune effector mechanisms, conjugated by a non-cleavable SMCC linker to the highly cytotoxic maytansinoid, DM1.	ImmunoGen		Phase I
IMGN-289	IMGN-289 is an EGFR-targeting antibody-drug conjugate under development by ImmunoGen using its Targeted Antibody Payload technology, for the treatment of head and neck cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It contains a potent DM1 cancer cell-killing agent, which is attached to the EGFR-binding antibody using ImmunoGen's SMCC thioether linker.	ImmunoGen		Phase I
HuMax-TF	HuMax-TF is an antibody-drug conjugate composed of a human antibody against tissue factor conjugated to the cytotoxic drug monomethyl auristatin E under development by Genmab for the treatment of solid cancer.	Genmab	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
DMUC-5754A	DMUC-5754A is an anti-MUC16 MAb conjugated to the cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E using Seattle's ADC technology, under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche) for the treatment of platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancers.	Hoffmann-La Roche	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
DEDN-6526A	DEDN-6526A is an antibody-drug conjugate of MMAE under development by Genentech (Hoffmann-La-Roche) for the treatment of melanoma.	Hoffmann-La Roche		Phase I
CDX-2401	CDX-2401 (DCVax-001) comprises a DEC-205-specific human MAb linked to an HIV antigen, under development by Celldex Therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection. It is intended to deliver the HIV antigen to dendritic cells, where it stimulates the immune response against the antigen.	Celldex Therapeutics		Phase I
BAY-94-9343	BAY-94-9343 is an antibody-drug conjugate under development by Bayer for the treatment of mesothelin-positive tumors. It consists of a fully human anti-mesothelin IgG1 antibody conjugated to DM4, a potent tubulin-binding drug. The antibody component was derived using MorphoSys HuCAL antibody library.	Bayer	MorphoSysImmunoGen	Phase I
BAY-79-4620	BAY-79-4620 is a fully-human anti-MN (carbonic anhydrase IX) MAb conjugated to monomethyl auristatin E under development by Bayer for the treatment of solid tumors.	Bayer	Seattle GeneticsMorphoSys	Phase I
SAT-012	SAT-012 is an injectable humanized MAb targeted to the ED-B oncofoetal fibronectin splice variant and conjugated to IL-12, under development by Saturn Biosciences for the treatment of solid tumors, such as renal cancer and melanoma. It specifically targets IL-12 to the tumor vasculature, and acts as an antiangiogenic agent.	Antisoma	Saturn Biosciences	Phase I
AMG-595	AMG-595 is an antibody-drug conjugate comprised of a fully humanized antibody against the mutated receptor EGFRvIII conjugated to a tubulin inhibitor, under development by Amgen for the treatment of glioma.	Amgen		Phase I
AMG-172	AMG-172 is a human anti-CD27L antibody drug conjugate under development by Amgen for the treatment of renal cancer.	Amgen		Phase I
AGS-22M6E	AGS-22M6E is an antibody-drug conjugate of the fully-human monoclonal antibody for AGS-22, a cell surface antigen, targeting the nectin-4 antigen, under development by Agensys (Astellas) for the treatment of multiple solid tumors including breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.	Astellas	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
AGS-16C3F	Agensys (Astellas) and Seattle Genetics are developing an antibody-drug conjugate based on AGS-16M18, a fully-human IgG1-lambda MAb specific for AGS-16, a single transmembrane cell-surface antigen, for the treatment of kidney and liver cancers.	Astellas	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
AGS-15E	ASG-15ME (AGS-15E) is an antibody-drug conjugate of a fully-human monoclonal antibody targeting SLITRK6, under development by Agensys (Astellas) for the treatment of advanced bladder cancer. It is a monomethyl auristatin E based ADC.	Astellas	Seattle Genetics	Phase I
antibody drug conjugates programme, Pfizer	Seattle Genetics is collaborating with Pfizer on the development of antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer.	Seattle Genetics	Pfizer	Phase I
ABBV-399	ABBV-399 is an antibody drug conjugate under development by AbbVie for the treatment of cancer.	AbbVie		Phase I