I-Mab Announces Strategic Collaboration with Sanofi for CD73 Antibody Uliledlimab in Greater China with Potential Deal Value of Up to €213 Million

Sep 25, 2024 18:52 CST Updated 18:52

NovaBridge Biosciences

Biological Agent Developer

Sanofi

Pharmaceutical R&D Developer

▎WuXi AppTec Content Team Report

Today (September 25),Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sanofi（Sanofi）Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. independently developedThe innovative CD73 antibody uliledlimabStrategic Collaboration Reached for Development, Manufacturing, and Commercialization in Greater China. Sanofi will pay Tianjing Biotechnology approximately 32 million euros (approximately 250 million RMB) as an upfront payment and near-term milestone payments, as well as specific registration and sales milestone payments; the potential total consideration does not exceed 213 million euros (approximately 1.7 billion RMB). Meanwhile, Sanofi will obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize Urelumab in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

Yulaili Monoclonal Antibody is an innovative CD73 antibody with differentiated advantages, enhancing the body's immune response to cancer cells by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Currently, this drug is being developed in China in combination with Teripril Monoclonal Antibody.Pivotal Study for the Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)。

According to the previously disclosed information from Tianjing Biotechnology, uliledlimab effectively binds to CD73 in a non-substrate competitive manner. By inhibiting adenosine production, it effectively relieves immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing systemic and local tumor immune responses.Preclinical studies show that Yulaili monoclonal antibody effectively inhibits CD73 activity by binding to a unique C-terminal epitope in a monovalent manner with the intradimer of CD73. Its combination with immune checkpoint drugs such as PD-1 or PD-L1 antibodies is expected to enhance synergistic efficacy in cancer treatment.

According to the agreement, Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. will lead the clinical development of uliledlimab in specific cancer indications and be responsible for clinical drug supply and long-term commercial production. Sanofi will share part of the clinical development costs and lead the commercialization of the product in Greater China.

At the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. presented data from the Phase 1b/2 clinical trials conducted in the United States and China. The data showed that the combination of uliledlimab and toripalimab had a favorable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in treating NSCLC patients with high CD73 expression. Additionally, the study revealed a close correlation between high tumor CD73 expression and treatment response, highlighting the value of CD73 expression as a predictive biomarker.

References:

[1] Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Sanofi Enter into Greater China Strategic Collaboration for Globally Innovative CD73-Targeted Cancer Therapy. Retrieved Sep 25, 2024, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/nui3SQCWtWVVVWLRV3YxRw

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