Astellas cuts ADCs in California

Agensys – an affiliate of Astellas - will close its research and development (R&D) site in California early next year.

Astellas senior vice president Wataru Uchida, said “The ​[Agensys] team has provided post-Proof of Concept compounds and antibody-related technology that have been incorporated into our promising oncology pipeline. Yet, the field of research has evolved and led to a new frontier of treatment options.”​

The firm said it will instead invest in oncology-focused technologies.

“Expanding our investment in this new area of research and development will be critically important and help us to better address high unmet medical needs, as well as deliver innovative benefits to patients in the fight against many types of cancers,” ​said Uchida.

Astellas said it will continue antibody-drug conjugate-related clinical trials and collaborations already in progress, including its ongoing collaboration with Seattle Genetics.