Abbisko Therapeutics Co. Ltd.’s colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitor, pimicotinib (ABSK-021), is advancing from phase I trials to pivotal phase III trials in patients with tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT) in the U.S. and China following clearance from both regulators.
Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd.’s subsidiary, Novocodex Biopharmaceuticals Inc., reported positive phase III study results for its humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate, ARX-788, in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in China.
Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc. licensed rights to zastaprazan, a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment candidate, from Onconic Therapeutics Inc. in a $127.5 million deal. Under the agreement, Livzon, which is based in Guangdong, China, obtains the exclusive rights to develop, license, manufacture and commercialize the candidate in greater China. In turn, Seoul, Korea-based Onconic will obtain a $15 million up-front payment, and up to $112.5 million in development, licensing and commercialization milestone payments.
China’s NMPA approved Shanghai Shengdi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s adebrelimab (SHR-1316) for first-line treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) in combination with chemotherapy. The approval in mainland China makes adebrelimab the third domestic PD-L1 monoclonal antibody to make it to the domestic market. Shanghai Shengdi is a subsidiary of Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd.
Hanall Biopharma Co Ltd.’s batoclimab met the primary and key secondary endpoints in a pivotal phase III trial in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in China, marking the first positive phase III data for the candidate globally.
Oricell Therapeutics Co. Ltd. raised $45 million in a series B1 round to expand in the U.S. market. RTW Investments LP and the Qatar Investment Authority led the financing, which followed the completion of a $125 million series B round in July 2022. Shanghai-based Oricell plans to use the new funds to support the clinical development of its lead candidates, including Oricar-017, in the U.S.
Abbisko Therapeutics Co. Ltd. and Allist Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. signed an exclusive licensing deal that gives Allist rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Abbisko’s ABK-3376, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor for $188 million plus royalties.
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.’s wholly owned subsidiary, Eucure Biopharma Co. Ltd., licensed exclusive greater China rights to YH-008 to Chipscreen Biosciences Co. Ltd. in a ¥596 million (US$86 million) deal. Chipscreen subsidiary, Chipscreen Newway Biosciences Co. Ltd., will develop and commercialize the bispecific antibody in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Ophthalmic startup Eluminex Biosciences Ltd. closed a $40 million series B round to progress its pipeline of ophthalmic assets and recombinant human collagen technology. Eluminex’s pipeline includes multi-targeted antibody molecules for vision-threatening retinal diseases and an oral small molecule for rare inherited pediatric retinal dystrophies, but its lead asset, EB-301, is a biosynthetic cornea derived from recombinant human type III collagen.
Indicating its continuing strategy to invest in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), Astrazeneca plc obtained exclusive global rights to Claudin 18.2 ADC CMG-901 from Keymed Biosciences Inc. and Lepu Biopharma Co. Ltd. in a deal worth up to $1.163 billion.