Genequantum Healthcare Co. Ltd. will work with Aimedbio Inc. to co-develop an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to treat brain and other cancers, working toward an IND filing in 2023. Aimedbio will focus on antibody development, while Genequantum will work on linker-payload development. “Since we have a plan to market and sell the product globally, we will conduct a phase I clinical trial in the U.S., Australia, South Korea, and China as a priority,” Do-Hyun Nam, founder, chairman, and chief technology officer of Aimedbio, told BioWorld.
Although efforts focused on COVID-19 continue to fade and there are fewer collaborations than in previous years, the biopharma industry has recorded record value from mega-deals in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, topping all recent years, as executives continue to opt against costly mergers and acquisitions.
Through a $600 million deal, Juniper Biologics Pte. Ltd. has acquired rights from Kolon Life Science Inc. to develop and commercialize TG-C LD (Tissuegene-C low dose) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Singapore-based Juniper will hold the rights for Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa and be responsible for developing and commercializing the candidate within those regions.
Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has acquired greater China rights to two candidates from Lenz Therapeutics Inc. for the treatment of presbyopia in greater China in a deal worth up to $110 million. San Diego-based Lenz will receive $15 million in up-front payments, up to $95 million in regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and potential royalty payments based on net sales.
Everest Medicines Ltd. has formed a partnership with China Resources Pharmaceutical Group (CR Pharma) to co-launch an independent company to focus on the development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.
Harbour Biomed Therapeutics Ltd. has out-licensed a preclinical bispecific antibody, HBM-7022, to Astrazeneca plc in a global licensing deal worth up to $350 million.
Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has in-licensed Eli Lilly and Co.’s olaratumab antibody, agreeing to pay $5 million up front for exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize radiolabeled forms of the antibody for the diagnosis and treatment of human cancers.
Cellpoint B.V. has picked up U.S and European rights to a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy from Shenzhen Pregene Biopharma Co. Ltd. Cellpoint will develop and commercialize the candidate, PRG-1801, for the treatment of hematological indications.
There’s a growing renewal of interest in CDK9 as a therapeutic target, including by two companies adding to the momentum with a $150 million deal. Sellas Life Sciences Group and Genfleet Therapeutics Inc. entered an exclusive license agreement granting Sellas rights to develop and commercialize the small molecule CDK9 inhibitor GFH-009 outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Biosion Inc. has out-licensed ex-China rights for its anti-Siglec-15 monoclonal antibody BSI-060T and additional preclinical assets with the same target to Pyxis Oncology Inc. for $10 million up front and potential milestone payments of up to $222.5 million, plus single to low double-digit royalties on commercial sales.
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