▎Pharma Insights/Report
May 30 News: Zai Lab, an innovative biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Shanghai, and Crescendo Biologics, a multifunctional biologics development company, announced the establishment of a global exclusive licensing agreement. Under the agreement, Zai Lab will develop, commercialize, and manufacture an innovative VH domain antibody drug from Crescendo Biologics for potential treatment of inflammatory indications.
This candidate drug is developed based on Crescendo Biologics' transgenic platform, whose fully human VH domain construction center can generate novel small, potent, and effective protein antibodies to provide innovative therapies for diseases. Zai LabAn Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the clinical study of this candidate drug in the indication of psoriasis is expected to be submitted in 2019.。
Zai Lab is an innovative biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Shanghai, dedicated to providing therapeutic agents for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases to patients in China and worldwide. With an experienced team, the company has established collaborations with leading global biopharmaceutical companies, offering a broad portfolio of innovative drug candidates to address the rapidly growing pharmaceutical market in China and unmet medical needs globally.
The latter, Crescendo Biologics, is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, UK, dedicated to developing effective and differentiated Humabody-based oncology therapeutics, with a primary focus on innovative targeted T-cell therapies. Reportedly, the company’s capability to develop multifunctional Humabody therapeutics is built upon its unique, patented transgenic mouse platform, which generates 100% human VH domain constructs. These active molecules are optimally configured to target specific antigens, enabling novel mechanisms of action and achieving optimal in vivo distribution. Compared with traditional IgG approaches, this strategy offers a broader therapeutic window. Moreover, the Humabody-based approach can also be applied to various non-oncological diseases.
Currently, Crescendo Biologics is pursuing novel product opportunities based on Humabody through internal development and external strategic partnerships.
“Biologic therapies are increasingly effective in the treatment of psoriasis and other dermatological conditions, but they are often associated with immunosuppressive side effects that limit their use,” commented Dr. Harald Reinhart, Chief Medical Officer of Autoimmunity and Infectious Diseases at Zai Lab. “We observe significant benefits with topically administered dermatological formulations, which demonstrate robust clinical efficacy and a safer profile for long-term administration.”
Mr. Peter Pack, CEO of Crescendo Biologics, commented, “We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with Zai Lab, a significant developer of innovative medicines with a R&D pipeline spanning multiple therapeutic areas characterized by substantial unmet needs in the global market. We are pleased with the speed and efficiency of Zai Lab’s proof-of-concept clinical programs. Crescendo Biologics is committed to advancing disease treatments more effectively and safely, and we believe our approach offers significant synergies with Zai Lab’s autoimmune disease R&D pipeline.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Crescendo Biologics has granted Zai Lab an exclusive global license. Zai Lab holds the rights to develop and commercialize the candidate drug for all indications and will be responsible for conducting all regulatory filings, clinical studies, and commercialization activities, while both companies will participate in the Joint Development Committee. Zai Lab has provided an upfront cash payment to Crescendo Biologics and will make payments upon the achievement of various development, management, and commercialization milestones for multiple indications of the candidate drug. Crescendo Biologics will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on global sales.