CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. has achieved a second clinical candidate nomination under its TCB collaboration with Astellas Pharma US, Inc., triggering a $5 million milestone payment to CytomX. CytomX and Astellas are collaborating on multiple conditionally activated TCB programs with CytomX eligible to receive additional future preclinical, clinical and commercial milestones. CytomX retains a cost share and co-commercialization option on a select number of targets.
 
CytomX is a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel conditionally activated biologics designed to be localized to the tumor microenvironment powered by its PROBODY therapeutic platform.
 
“The achievement of clinical candidate nomination for the second Probody® TCB program in our broad collaboration with Astellas underscores our capabilities in the exciting field of conditionally activated, masked T-cell engaging bispecifics. T-cell engagers offer new possibilities for the treatment of solid tumors and the PROBODY® platform may be ideally suited to realizing the potential of this modality,” said Sean McCarthy, D. Phil, chief executive officer and chairman of CytomX.
 
“At Astellas, immuno-oncology is a Primary Focus of our research and development strategy, and the rapidly advancing field of masked bispecific immune cell engagers holds tremendous promise for patients,” stated Peter Sandor, M.D., Senior Vice President and Primary Focus Lead, Immuno-Oncology. “We are delighted with the progress in our broad alliance in this area with CytomX and look forward to the continued collaboration successes as we expand our next-generation immuno-oncology therapeutic pipeline to address areas of high unmet medical need.”