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Takeda/Mersana Deal Adds To ADC Pipeline

 
• By Lisa LaMotta

Mersana Therapeutics is getting a vote of confidence from long-time partner Takeda as the two companies expand their collaboration in antibody-drug conjugates and plan to move a molecule into the clinic.

Mersana Therapeutics Inc. announced Feb. 3 that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. will pay $40m upfront for rights to XMT-1522, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets HER2. Mersana will receive another $20m once an IND is accepted by the US FDA, which is expected in mid-2016.

Mersana will be responsible for preclinical and Phase I work, while the pair intend to work together on development beyond...

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More from Japan

Citeline Japan Awards 2025 - Enter Now!

 
• By Ian Haydock and Lisa Takagi

The 14 July deadline for the Citeline Japan Awards 2025 in Tokyo is approaching fast, so here's a reminder to take a look at the categories and criteria and be sure to get those submissions in by this date. Sponsorship opportunities and tables for the event are also available.

Crisis Or Opportunity? US MFN Policy Could Test Japan’s Appetite For Reforms

 
• By Lisa Takagi

While the adoption of most favored nation drug pricing in the US stands to affect Japanese biopharma firms now heavily reliant on this market, it might also present an opportunity for pricing and policy reforms at home.

In Brief: Nicox Extends Cash Runway As Kowa Advances NCX 470 In Japan

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.

Japan Pharma Sees US Revenues Grow But Policy Impact Still Unclear

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japanese majors put in generally solid performances in the fiscal year ended 31 March, but overseas revenues and forex effects, rather than the domestic market, provided most of the growth.

More from Focus On Asia

Big Top-Level Shifts At Sun: Ganorkar Is MD, Ex-Takeda Exec To Helm US Business

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Sun’s founder hands top job to company longtimer Kirti Ganorkar as the firm implements a “structured and forward-looking” succession plan, while Richard Ascroft will lead the Indian drugmaker’s North America business.

AstraZeneca Taps Into China’s R&D Engine With CSPC Alliance

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

After in-licensing a cardiovascular candidate last year, AstraZeneca has signed a strategic drug discovery alliance, which could generate billions of dollars in payments to the Chinese firm.

Is Zydus’s Agenus Deal Opportunistic Or Strategic?

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Will Zydus’s acquisition and licensing deal with Agenus turn out to be a strategic move towards building an oncology portfolio or an opportunistic one driven by a venture capital mindset?