• Seattle Genetics Inc., of Bothell, Wash., said interim results from a Phase I trial of ASG-5ME in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma identified the maximum-tolerated dose for weekly administration, demonstrated tolerability and provided preliminary evidence for antitumor activity. The best response for 18 patients treated at 1.2 mg/kg weekly included one patient (6 percent) who achieved a partial response, six patients (33 percent) with stable disease and four (22 percent) with progressive disease. ASG-5ME is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting the SLC44A4 antigen and is being co-development with Agensys Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. for the treatment of solid tumors. Data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco.