Daiichi Sankyo Bolsters ADC Portfolio with Anti-TA-MUC1 Antibody from Glycotope

Daiichi Sankyo, a global leader in the development of innovative cancer therapies, has strengthened its antibody drug conjugate (ADC) portfolio by acquiring the intellectual property rights for an anti-TA-MUC1 antibody from Glycotope GmbH. This strategic move positions Daiichi Sankyo to explore the potential of this novel target in various solid tumors and further expand its reach in the ADC market.

The anti-TA-MUC1 antibody, which will be developed as DS-3939, is a specifically engineered potential first-in-class tumor-associated mucin-1 (TA-MUC1) directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo's proprietary DXd ADC technology, DS-3939 is comprised of a humanized anti-TA-MUC1 antibody licensed from Glycotope, attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers. This unique combination enables targeted delivery of the cytotoxic payload inside cancer cells that express the specific cell surface antigen, TA-MUC1.

TA-MUC1 is a tumor-specific transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed in most human epithelial cancers, making it a promising target for cancer therapy. Currently, there are no TA-MUC1 directed therapies approved for any type of cancer, indicating a significant unmet need and potential market size for TA-MUC1 targeted therapies. Daiichi Sankyo's acquisition of the intellectual property rights for the anti-TA-MUC1 antibody from Glycotope highlights the company's commitment to addressing this unmet need and expanding its ADC portfolio.