Shinji Ohno

ImmunoGen developed the maytansinoid ADC platform (DM1, DM4 payloads) — highly potent microtubule inhibitors conjugated via disulfide or thioether linkers to antibodies. This platform enabled multiple approved ADCs including T-DM1 (trastuzumab emtansine) and mirvetuximab sorvatansine. Understanding the tradeoffs between cleavable and non-cleavable linkers, bystander effects, and target expression thresholds required for ADC activity has informed next-generation ADC design.