BRIEF—MIMETAS and Astellas enter into strategic I-O partnership

Dutch human disease modelling firm MIMETAS has entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma.

The partnership comprises utilizing MIMETAS’ comprehensive tumor models to support the next generation of immuno-oncological therapies.

“We are excited to make this next step in our longstanding collaboration with Astellas,” said MIMETAS’ chief executive Paul Vulto.

“Astellas is among Japan's most innovative pharmaceutical companies with ambitious programs on cancer cell therapies and bispecific immune cell engagers. MIMETAS has the expertise and technology to capture the complexity of tumors and their microenvironments. This crucial piece of a puzzle allows us to understand tumor biology more deeply and supports Astellas’ ambition to substantially increase response rate to immuno-oncological treatments,” he added.

Under the partnership, Astellas will receive access to MIMETAS immune oncological disease assays.

MIMETAS will be eligible for undisclosed upfront and milestone payments.