Daiichi Sankyo enters immuno-oncology collaboration with AgonOx

Japanese drug major Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 4568) has entered into a strategic collaboration with AgonOx, a privately-held US biotechnology company developing a pipeline of novel immunotherapy drugs targeting key regulators of the immune response to cancer, to develop an undisclosed immuno-oncology target.

Under terms of the accord, Daiichi Sankyo and AgonOx will collaborate on preclinical development of the program. Following preclinical assessment, Daiichi Sankyo has an exclusive option to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize the program worldwide. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are excited to collaborate with AgonOx, which has extensive expertise in validating the expression and function of immuno-oncology targets,” said Antoine Yver, executive vice president and global head, oncology R&D at Daiichi Sankyo. “While this collaboration will help strengthen our immuno-oncology capabilities, it also aligns with our overall mission of discovering and delivering science that can change the standard of care for patients with cancer,” Dr Yver added.