• SGN-CD19B is broadly active in vitro against malignant B-cell lines, including doublehit and triple-hit lymphoma cell lines.• SGN-CD19B shows significant antitumor activity in vivo in preclinical models of B-NHL and B-cell-derived acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia have a poor prognosis. Despite measurable clinical activity with new targeted therapies, many patients do not achieve a complete or durable response suggesting an opportunity to improve upon existing therapies. Here we describe SGN-CD19B, a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD)-based anti-CD19 antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being investigated for treatment of B-cell malignancies, which has improved potency compared with other ADCs. CD19-expressing tumor cells rapidly internalize SGN-CD19B, and the released PBD drug induces DNA damage, resulting in G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell death. SGN-CD19B demonstrated activity against a broad panel of malignant B-cell lines and induced durable regressions in mice bearing xenografts derived from these B-cell malignancies. A single dose of SGN-CD19B induced durable regressions at 300 mg/kg (3 mg/kg drug equivalents); combination with rituximab decreased the curative dose to 100 mg/kg (1 mg/kg drug equivalents). These doses are significantly lower than the level of drug required with other ADC payloads. In cynomolgus monkeys, SGN-CD19B effectively depleted CD20 1 B lymphocytes in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues confirming that SGN-CD19B is pharmacodynamically active at well-tolerated doses. In summary, preclinical studies show SGN-CD19B is a highly active ADC, which releases a DNA cross-linking agent rather than a microtubule inhibitor. The distinct mechanism of action, broad potency, and potential to combine with rituximab suggest that SGN-CD19B may offer unique clinical opportunities in B-cell malignancies. A phase 1 clinical trial is in progress to investigate the therapeutic potential of SGN-CD19B in relapsed/refractory B-NHL.