1. Scrip
  2. >>Focus On Asia
  3. >>Japan

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 that point. Mersana retains US and Canadian rights to the...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Japan

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.

Multiple Launches Help Lilly’s Japan Growth

 
• By Ian Haydock

Lilly saw solid growth for its business in Japan last year on the back of several new launches and is building its obesity and Alzheimer's portfolios in the country.

Shionogi In $1bn Deal For Japan Tobacco’s Pharma Ops

 
• By Ian Haydock

Mid-sized Japanese pharma firm to acquire tobacco giant’s pharma operations and take private the listed Torii Pharmaceutical business, in bid to build sales reach and strengthen manufacturing.

More from Focus On Asia

Ascentage Broadens Horizons As Pipeline Shows Renewed Promise

 
• By Xu Hu

Ascentage will share at ASCO new clinical data on its Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax, part of the Chinese firm's novel pipeline, on which its CEO shared with Scrip plans and strategy, along with some views on the use of RWD in China.

Tech Convergence, Quality Data Needed To Accelerate Korea’s AI-Powered R&D

 
• By Jung Won Shin

AI-powered drug development was a major topic at the recent Bio Korea meeting, where experts discussed how the technology is changing R&D activities and the challenges being faced by Korean firms as they look to catch up with their global competitors.

Strong Data For CARsgen’s CAR-T In Late-Line Gastric Cancer

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

In first confirmatory randomized controlled trial of any CAR-T therapy in solid tumors, CARsgen’s Claudin 18.2-targeting satri-cel reduced risk of death or disease progression by 63% in Chinese patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.