Technology evaluation: cantuzumab mertansine, ImmunoGen.

ImmunoGen is developing cantuzumab mertansine, in which the CanAg antigen-targeted humanized antibody C242 is conjugated to the company's proprietary cytotoxic agent, DM1, using ImmunoGen's tumor-activated prodrug technology. Cantuzumab mertansine is undergoing phase II trials for the potential treatment of CanAg-expressing cancers, including pancreatic and colorectal cancers and non-small-cell lung cancer.