NewJing Zhiyuan Enters into Non-exclusive License Agreement with BeiGene to Support Development of Next-generation iPSC-based Cell Therapies

VCBeat learned that at 6:00 PM Beijing Time on June 3, 2025,Neowise BiotechnologyNeowise Biotechnology, Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Neowise Biotechnology), a company focused on the research and development of TCR-T immunocyte therapeutic drugs for solid tumors,Announced the signing of a non-exclusive licensing agreement with BeiGene, will authorize BeiGene with the rights to an antigen-specific TCR molecule independently developed by the company, for BeiGene to develop next-generation universal cell therapy drugs based on the iPSC platform.

According to the agreement, Neowise Biotechnology will receive an upfront payment and, in future collaborative research projects based on the licensed TCR molecules, obtain milestone payments as well as a share of product commercialization sales based on the progress of research and development, registration, and the achievement of commercial milestones. BeiGene will have the rights to use the licensed TCR molecules to develop next-generation cell therapy products and to commercialize them.

Neowise Biotechnology, founded in 2020, focuses on the development of natural sequence TCR-T cell therapeutic drugs. The company has built a globally leading target antigen-natural TCR pairing database validated by experiments (CAST).^®), the TCR molecule authorized this time comes from CAST^®A TCR sequence in the database. Relying on the strong capability to discover antigen-specific natural TCR sequences, the company has established multiple R&D pipelines and achieved positive clinical outcomes, demonstrating significant potential for the treatment of various solid tumors.

Dr. Peng Songming, Founder of Neowise BiotechnologyStated: We are very pleased to have reached a cooperation with BeiGene, which will expand the application of our TCR molecules into new fields and assist in the development and clinical advancement of BeiGene's next-generation cell therapy drugs. We thank BeiGene for recognizing our technological advantages in the field of antigen-specific TCR discovery. This collaboration further confirms that the target antigen-natural TCR database we have built holds significant commercial value and broad clinical application prospects. Through this partnership, we hope to provide next-generation universal cell therapy drugs for cancer patients worldwide.

Dr. Huang Shiming, Vice President of BeiGene and Head of Global Cell Therapy Research and Development CenterRepresentation: As a global enterprise focusing on innovative cancer treatments, BeiGene is actively exploring the diverse applications of universal iPSC-derived cell therapy in the field of cancer treatment. It is also promoting the establishment of an allogeneic, off-the-shelf cell therapy platform. Through genetic modification technology, this platform aims to make cell therapy widely applicable to different patients, achieving universality and popularization in treatment. To accelerate the R&D process, we are actively seeking diversified and multi-form strategic partners worldwide. This collaboration with Neowise Biotechnology will empower both parties to explore more treatment options for patients in the important field of next-generation cell therapy.

Neowise Biotechnology, Co., Ltd., is an innovative enterprise focused on the development of TCR-T immunocyte therapeutic drugs for solid tumors. Neowise Biotechnology has independently developed a high-throughput, high-sensitivity target antigen-natural TCR discovery platform, which efficiently screens natural high-affinity TCR sequences that specifically recognize tumor antigens through iterative feedback combining computational and experimental validation. This has enabled the establishment of a globally leading experimentally-validated target antigen-natural TCR pairing database. The company currently has multiple pipelines that have advanced to the clinical trial stage, and positive efficacy along with good safety have been observed in clinical trials targeting various solid tumors.

BeiGene is a global oncology innovation company registered in Switzerland, focusing on developing innovative anti-cancer drugs for cancer patients worldwide. With a rich portfolio of products in hematology and solid tumors, as well as strong self-research and development capabilities and external strategic cooperation, we are continuously accelerating the development of a diversified and innovative drug pipeline, committed to improving drug accessibility and affordability for more patients globally. Across six continents, we have a team of over 11,000 people.