Johnson and Johnson paid $300 million for the development of cusatuzumab

Janssen of Johnson and Johnson has agreed to a potentially worth up to $1.6 billion to develop and sell Argenx'cusatuzumab to treat a variety of cancers, including malignant tumors in the blood system. Cusatuzumab, also known as ARGX-110, is an experimental antibody targeting CD70 and is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myeloid growth syndrome. Under the agreement, Janssen will pay an advance of $300 million, and Argenx is eligible for milestones of up to $1.3 billion and double-digit royalties. Argenx will recruit 21 initial AML patients to use a dose of 10 mg / kg in the Cusatuzumab Phase II trial. In the first phase, the company evaluated 12 newly diagnosed AML patients who were not suitable for intensive chemotherapy, and the data showed an overall response rate of 92% (11/12 patients), including 10 patients who were fully remission but had no blood recovery, as well as partial remission. "We believe that CD70 is an important goal in selective cancer biology, and we are eager to work with Argenx to accelerate the development of this innovative antibody," commented Yuri Elsayed. Johnson and Johnson will also invest $200 million in Argenx as part of the deal. (This web article)