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Astellas, Vir Partner on $1.7B Prostate Cancer Therapy

2/24/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Astellas and Vir Biotechnology formed a $1.7 billion collaboration to develop VIR-5500, a T-cell engager for prostate cancer.
Astellas will invest $335 million upfront as part of the collaboration.
The partners aim to move VIR-5500 into phase 3 testing by 2027.
Updated phase 1 data show 82% of heavily pretreated patients achieved significant PSA reductions.
Safety data indicate cytokine release syndrome was manageable with no severe cases.

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Story summary

Astellas and Vir Biotechnology formed a $1.7 billion collaboration to develop VIR-5500, a T-cell engager for prostate cancer.
Astellas will invest $335 million upfront as part of the collaboration.
The partners aim to move VIR-5500 into phase 3 testing by 2027.
Updated phase 1 data show 82% of heavily pretreated patients achieved significant PSA reductions.
Safety data indicate cytokine release syndrome was manageable with no severe cases.