Nordic Life Science 1
T E X T b y M AL IN O T M ANI F IN A NC IN G Pasc
al Soriot, CEO, AstraZeneca AGR E EMEN T ASTRAZENECA AND DAIICHI SANKYO ENTER COLLABORATION a new drug based on a completely new principle for the treatment of diabetes type 2. The patented substance stimulates glucose uptake in muscle cells and is a treatment that is insulin-independent, a significant advantage as the insulin system functions less effectively in diabetics. Pre-clinical trials show several positive effects over and above the primary goal of reducing blood sugar levels in patients. With the new injection of capital, the plan is to carry out a clinical Phase 1 study in 2021. in development for the treatment of multiple tumors that commonly express the cell-surface glycoprotein TROP2. Among them, TROP2 is over-expressed in the majority of non-small cell lung cancers and breast cancers, tumor types that have long been a strategic focus for AstraZeneca. “We are delighted to enter this new collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and to build on the successful launch of Enhertu. We now have six potential blockbusters in oncology with more to come in our early and late pipelines,” says Pascal Soriot, CEO, AstraZeneca. Using Daiichi Sankyo’s DXd ADC technology, DS-1062 is designed to deliver chemotherapy selectively to cancer cells and to reduce systemic exposure. A comprehensive development program with DS-1062 is planned globally. “WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ENTER THIS NEW COLLABORATION WITH DAI ICHI SANKYO AND TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF ENHERTU. WE NOW HAVE SIX POTENTIAL BLOCKBUSTERS IN ONCOLOGY WITH MORE TO COME IN OUR EARLY AND LATE PIPELINES.” P A S C A L S O R I O T , C E O , A S T R A Z E N E C A Alexandra Ekman Ryding, CEO, Atrogi NORDIC LIFE SCIENCE 11