Under the deal, AGC will manufacture the biopharmaceutical firm's Clevegen cancer immunotherapy treatment. A humanized anti-Clever-1 antibody, Clevegen targets Clever-1-positive tumor-associated macrophages and converts these highly immunosuppressive M2 macrophages into immune-stimulating M1 macrophages. The macrophage-directed immuno-oncology switch may be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, according to the companies.

AGC and Faron noted that data from Faron's ongoing phase II MATINS trial have shown that Clevegen is safe and well-tolerated. In addition, there have been early clinical benefits in patients who have exhausted all other treatment options, the firms said.

AGC Biologics, AdaptVac partner on COVID-19 vaccine
AGC Biologics, a contract development and manufacturing organization, and AdaptVac have teamed up to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.