Recently, Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. andAbbVieThe licensing agreement for the CD47 antibody (Lemzoparlimab) has been terminated, with the termination officially taking effect on November 20, 2023. Tianjing Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. stated.，The $180 million upfront payment and $20 million Phase I clinical milestone payment made by AbbVie are not affected by the termination of the agreement.

The collaboration between the two parties began on September 4, 2020, just as CD47 was regaining momentum and transactions were heating up. Prior to this collaboration (In March 2020, Gilead acquired Forty Seven for $4.9 billion, obtainingThe Much-Anticipated CD47 Pipeline Magrolimab。

AndWith unique antigenic epitopeslemzoparlimabHas also gained the favor of the foreign pharmaceutical giant AbbVie.Lemzoparlimab belongs to the second-generation CD47 and is a molecule obtained through reverse screening that does not bind to red blood cells. It can recognize a unique CD47 antigen epitope (which, due to glycosylation modifications on red blood cells, cannot be fully exposed) and exhibits weak binding affinity to red blood cells.

September 4, 2020The two parties have established a broad strategic partnership for the development and commercialization of lemzoparlimab. AbbVie has obtained the rights to develop and commercialize lemzoparlimab outside Greater China, with a total deal value of up to $2.12 billion ($180 million upfront payment + potential milestone payments of $1.94 billion).

However, since last year, the clinical development of CD47 has entered a bottleneck due to safety issues. Several CD47 products have successively released unfavorable clinical news, and the drug development value of CD47 has once again been questioned.

The cooperation between the two companies also changed. In June 2022, AbbVie terminated the Phase I clinical trial of Lemzoparlimab for the treatment of multiple myeloma due to strategic considerations, with no safety issues involved. In August 2022, the two parties revised the cooperation agreement.AbbVieThe Phase I clinical trial of "Lemzoparlimab + Azacitidine + Venetoclax" in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia was terminated, but it did not involve safety issues.

Although the clinical trial has been terminated, Both parties inBoth parties will continue cooperation on other candidate CD47 antibodies, and Tianjing will receive $1.295 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties. Following the termination of lemzoparlimab, it remains unclear what cooperation strategy the two companies will adopt for other candidate CD47 antibodies in the future.

The R&D journey of CD47 has been full of twists and turns,Gilead,ALX Oncology、Arch OncologyThe consecutive failures of the first batch of overseas companies charging ahead in this track have cast a shadow over the entire CD47 field, dimming its prospects.

HoweverIt can be seen that domestic companies are making great efforts to explore the druggability of CD47. In China, there are over 30 CD47-related products under development, involving different technological approaches. Among them, companies such as Immune-Onc Biopharma, Innovent Biologics, Elpiscience Biopharma, Sino Biological, and Bio-Thera Solutions have multiple CD47 products in development across various technological pathways.

Lemzoparlimab is the CD47 pipeline with the second-fastest global progress after Magrolimab, and the first patient dosing in the China Phase III pivotal clinical trial for MDS indication was completed in April this year.At last year's ESMO conference,TianjingPhase II Clinical Data of Lemzoparlimab for MDS Released: Results Show an Objective Response Rate of 86.7% at 6 Months, with Complete Response Rate Reaching 40.0%. Tolerability Remains Favorable, and Side Effects at a Dose of 30mg/kg Are Comparable to Previous AZA Monotherapy.