News Releases

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., (“Taiho”) today announced its option exercise for AB122 (zimberelimab), an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody from Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (“Arcus”), in Japan and certain other territories in Asia (excluding China). This option exercise is based on an option and license agreement between Taiho and Arcus contracted in September 2017. Taiho has already obtained exclusive rights of AB928 (adenosine receptor antagonist), and therefore this is the second option exercise of the Arcus program.

AB122, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated clinical activity and safety profile that is consistent with those of currently approved anti-PD-1 therapies. AB122 in combination with AB928 and other standard therapies, is in a broad development program in selected tumor types that include prostate, colorectal, non-small cell lung, pancreatic, triple negative breast and renal cell cancers. As a monotherapy, AB122 is also being evaluated in a tumor-agnostic, biomarker-selected Phase 1b trial for cancers with no approved anti-PD-1 treatment options.

In exchange for the option exercise, Taiho has paid an exercise payment in December 2019, and will pay upon achievement, additional clinical, regulatory and commercialization milestones, as well as royalties on net sales for this program.

Through this collaboration, Taiho will further support the development and commercialization of AB122, and will continue its mission to deliver innovative drugs to patients and medical professionals.

AB122 is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody currently under development by Arcus. AB122 was originally in-licensed by Arcus from WuXi Biologics in 2017, for worldwide clinical development and commercialization in territories excluding China and Thailand.

Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the three fields of oncology, allergy and immunology, and urology. Its corporate philosophy takes the form of a pledge: “We strive to improve human health and contribute to a society enriched by smiles.” In the field of oncology in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a leading company in Japan for developing innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, a reputation that is rapidly expanding through their extensive global R&D efforts. In areas other than oncology, as well, the company creates and markets quality products that effectively treat medical conditions and can help improve people's quality of life. Always putting customers first, Taiho Pharmaceutical also aims to offer consumer healthcare products that support people's efforts to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. For more information about Taiho Pharmaceutical, please visit: https://www.taiho.co.jp/en/.

Arcus Biosciences is an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company leveraging its deep cross-discipline expertise to both discover highly-differentiated therapies and to develop a broad portfolio of novel combinations addressing significant unmet needs. For more information about Arcus Biosciences, please visit www.arcusbio.com.