Core Insights - Astellas Pharma has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Evopoint Biosciences for the development and commercialization of XNW27011, a novel investigational antibody-drug conjugate targeting CLDN18.2, with worldwide rights excluding certain regions in China [1][3][6] Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement grants Astellas exclusive worldwide rights (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) to develop and commercialize XNW27011 [1] - Evopoint will receive a $130 million upfront payment and is eligible for up to $70 million in near-term payments, with additional milestone payments totaling up to $1.34 billion, plus royalties on net sales if approved [1][4] Group 2: Clinical Development - XNW27011 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 study in China for patients with CLDN18.2-expressing solid tumors, including gastric cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer [2][3] - The drug utilizes a proprietary topoisomerase I inhibitor payload and linker technology, which has shown clinical success in other approved cancer therapies [2] Group 3: Strategic Importance - Astellas has significant expertise in developing therapies targeting CLDN18.2, including VYLOYTM, the first CLDN18.2-targeted therapy approved globally [3] - The addition of XNW27011 is expected to address unmet patient needs and expand Astellas' oncology pipeline, which includes various CLDN-targeting therapies and ADCs directed at other targets [3][5]
Astellas Enters Exclusive License Agreement with Evopoint Biosciences for XNW27011, a Novel Clinical-stage Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting CLDN18.2