Through its proprietary DXd ADC Technology, Daiichi Sankyo strives to help patients with unmet needs by seeking to provide ADCs that are highly potent and stable in plasma.2,3
Explore the 3 key components of DXd ADCs
Topoisomerase I inhibitor payload
- Is potent and induces cell death within the tumor microenvironment and in neighboring cells, known as the bystander antitumor effect2,3
- Has a short half-life, if released by the linker in the bloodstream, minimizing off-target toxicity2,3
Cleavable linker
- Remains intact while traveling through the bloodstream until it reaches the tumor, aiming to reduce harm to healthy cells2-4
- Is designed to directly release the payload in the tumor cell, minimizing off-target toxicity3,4
Tumor-selective monoclonal antibody
- Contains an optimized number of payloads per antibody to provide potency and minimize off-target toxicity2-4
Proprietary technology
and cutting-edge design1,2
The payload, linker, and antibody components work together to give DXd ADCs the potential to deliver cytotoxic therapy directly to tumor cells, while reducing systemic exposure.2,3
See the science behind DXd ADCs
Watch our video detailing the proposed mechanism of action.
Gain insights from our leadership on the evolution of DXd ADC Technology
How Daiichi Sankyo’s DXd ADCs Came to Be
Looking Towards the Future of Oncology
Daiichi Sankyo is expanding the potential of ADCs with its clinically proven DXd ADC Technology and robust pipeline.
ADC, antibody drug conjugate.
References: 1. Antibody drug conjugates report. Evaluate. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.evaluate.com/thought-leadership/antibody-drug-conjugates-report/ 2. Okajima D, Yasuda S, Maejima T, et al. Datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, demonstrates potent antitumor activity by efficient drug delivery to tumor cells. Mol Cancer Ther. 2021;20(12):2329-2340. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-21-0206 3. Nakada T, Sugihara K, Jikoh T, Abe Y, Agatsuma T. The latest research and development into the antibody-drug conjugate, [fam-]trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), for HER2 cancer therapy. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2019;67(3):173-185. doi:10.1248/cpb.c18-00744 4. Ogitani Y, Aida T, Hagihara K, et al. DS-8201a, a novel HER2-targeting ADC with a novel DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, demonstrates a promising antitumor efficacy with differentiation from T-DM1. Clin Cancer Res. 2016;22(20):5097-5108. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-15-2822
This information reflects investigational compounds and/or investigational uses of approved products. The safety and efficacy of these investigational agents or investigational uses of approved products have not been established. Any approved products should be used in accordance with their product labeling (or Prescribing Information).