Mersana Therapeutics, a company specializing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and related technology, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to develop ADCs using Mersana’s Fleximer^® proprietary conjugation technology that is comprised of the company's biodegradable Fleximer polymer and customizable linker chemistries matched to Mersana's cytotoxic payloads.

Under the agreement, Takeda will provide an upfront payment to Mersana for the right to utilize Fleximer technology to develop novel ADC candidates. Mersana is responsible for conducting research and creating ADCs that are conjugates of Takeda's antibodies and Mersana's payload platforms, which combine a cytotoxic payload with the Fleximer polymer and custom linkers. In addition to providing antibodies, Takeda is responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any Fleximer-ADC products. In addition to an upfront payment, Mersana is eligible to receive milestones and royalties on worldwide net sales of any resulting ADC products.

Source: Mersana Therapeutics