Qilu Pharma Inks $290M Deal to Secure Exclusive Rights to LAE002 (Afuresertib), a Novel AKT Inhibitor for HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer
Laekna Therapeutics
Innovative Drug Developer
Qilu Pharmaceutical
Specialty Formulations and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Developer
On November 12, Laekna Therapeutics announced that it had signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Qilu Pharmaceutical, granting it the rights to research, develop, and commercialize the breast cancer candidate new drug LAE002 (Afuresertib) in China.
According to the terms of the agreement, until the first indication is launched in China, Laekna Therapeutics is entitled to receive up to 530 million yuan in non-refundable upfront payments and clinical development milestone payments.The total upfront and milestone payments will reach 2.045 billion yuan.In addition, Laekna Therapeutics is entitled to receive tiered sales royalties, with percentages ranging from over ten to over twenty.
LAE002 is a potent AKT inhibitor introduced by Laekna Therapeutics from Novartis in 2018, capable of inhibiting all three AKT subtypes (AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3).Currently, there are only two in Phase III globally.ClinicalLAE002 is one of the AKT inhibitors targeting breast cancer and prostate cancer.，Phase III clinical trial for HR+/HER2- breast cancer is currently underway.
Laekna Therapeutics plans to submit a new drug marketing application for LAE002 to the CDE in 2026.
Author: Li Ao
Editor: Jiang Yun, Jia Ting
Operation｜Twenty-thirteen
After 33 Years of Deep Cultivation in China, Merck "Doubles Down" on China
