Notching another deal in its efforts to extend the global reach of toripalimab, Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd. granted Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. rights to develop and commercialize the PD-1 inhibitor in a regional licensing agreement that could be worth as much as $728.3 million.
China’s NMPA gave the nod to Roche Diagnostics (Shanghai) Ltd.’s anti-preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) (EPR 20330) that could help to speed up melanoma diagnosis and improve survival rates.
China’s Hasten Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. will look for bolt-on acquisitions to deepen its pipeline following a funding round of $315 million that was co-led by Asia’s largest health care-dedicated investment firm, CBC Group of Singapore, and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Co.
Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd.’s anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody toripalimab showed positive interim event-free survival (EFS) results in a phase III study to treat patients with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is the world’s first phase III trial that shows perioperative treatment with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody significantly extends EFS of patients with resectable NSCLC, according to Shanghai-based Junshi Biosciences.
Zephyrm Biotechnologies Co. Ltd. raised ¥200 million (US$29 million) in a series B financing to support phase I and II trials of the company’s human pluripotent stem cell candidates to treat lung diseases, degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, CNS diseases, inherited retinal degenerations and retinal degenerative diseases. The money will also be used for the construction of its technology platform and cell manufacturing bases.
Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. obtained marketing approval in China for Spravato (esketamine hydrochloride nasal spray) in combination with an oral antidepressant to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Unlike existing antidepressants on the market, which can take weeks to take effect, the newly approved nasal spray shows effects right away.
While the pandemic is nearing its end, Chinese officials are calling for the development of novel, multivalent COVID-19 vaccines as an essential task moving forward.
Specialised Therapeutics Asia Pte Ltd. has inked a $73 million deal with CTTQ-Akeso Biomed Tech. Co. Ltd. to buy the rights to commercialize the latter’s anti-PD-1 antibody in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Alebund Pharmaceuticals Ltd. raised ¥200 million (US$29 million) in a pre-C financing round to support the clinical trials of its candidates for kidney disease. It also secured $800 million through a syndicated bank loan to build a manufacturing facility for small-molecule drugs in the Chinese city of Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, as it lays the groundwork for future commercialization.
Biontech SE has tapped into two of Duality Biologics Co. Ltd.’s antibody-drug conjugate candidates (ADCs), paying Duality $170 million up front and agreeing on development, regulatory and commercial milestone fees of $1.5 billion or more.
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