Twist Bioscience, Astellas Join Forces To Develop Cancer Targeting Antibodies

  • Twist Bioscience Corporation TWST has entered into a research collaboration and exclusive option license agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc ALPMF to conduct research activities to identify and optimize proprietary Twist antagonist antibodies.
  • The antibodies will target an undisclosed checkpoint inhibitor pathway in the tumor microenvironment as potential therapeutic development candidates. 
  • Ligands in this pathway are found in relatively high concentrations in the tumor microenvironment. 
  • Also Read: Twist Bioscience Inks Antibody Discovery Pact With MediSix Therapeutics.
  • Blocking the receptor's activation can markedly enhance anti-tumor immunity with other Astellas therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor-based technologies combined with Universal Donor Cells. 
  • Astellas will have the exclusive option to license any development candidates generated as part of the collaboration.
  • Under the terms of the agreement, Twist will receive an upfront payment from Astellas and an additional payment upon the exercise of the licensing option. 
  • Twist will receive payments connected to success-based clinical milestones and sales-based royalty payments for each licensed product. 
  • Specific deal terms were not disclosed.
  • Astellas will be responsible for developing, manufacturing, and commercializing any licensed products.
  • Price Action: TWST shares are down 11.2% at $27.87 during the market session on the last check Monday.
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