A major collaboration has been announced to accelerate the development of a next-generation cancer therapy, sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT), a promising antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to target a wide range of hard-to-treat tumors.
Through a new research and development funding agreement, the company will receive $700 million from Blackstone Life Sciences to support late-stage clinical development of sac-TMT. In return, Blackstone will receive low- to mid-single-digit royalties on global sales if the treatment gains regulatory approval.
Sac-TMT is an experimental ADC engineered to target TROP2, a protein highly expressed in multiple solid tumors, including breast, endometrial, and lung cancers. It combines a TROP2-targeting antibody, a potent topoisomerase-1 inhibitor payload, and an innovative linker technology that provides a high drug-to-antibody ratio — allowing for more precise delivery of the cancer-killing compound directly to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Currently, sac-TMT is being evaluated in 15 Phase 3 trials across six different tumor types, signaling the company’s strong confidence in its therapeutic potential.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company retains full control of development, manufacturing, and commercialization of sac-TMT. Blackstone’s role is limited to financial backing, helping share the development risk and accelerate progress without impacting ownership of the therapy.
This model of collaboration marks a growing trend in the biopharmaceutical industry, where strategic funding partnerships allow innovative therapies to move faster through clinical stages while maintaining scientific and operational independence.
If proven effective and approved, sac-TMT could represent a major advancement in targeted cancer therapy, offering new hope to patients battling aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers.
The partnership demonstrates how innovative funding structures can bring potentially life-saving medicines closer to patients — combining scientific leadership with strategic investment to tackle some of the world’s toughest health challenges.
