Yisheng Biopharma and Tavotek Therapeutics Form Strategic Alliance to Co-Develop Novel Multi-Target Immuno-Oncology Combination Therapies

Yisheng Biopharma Co., Ltd. and U.S.-based Tavotek Biopharma jointly announced the formation of a strategic R&D alliance to co-develop multi-target immuno-oncology combination therapies based on YS-ON-001/002 and Tavo-301/303. Yisheng Biopharma is a multinational biopharmaceutical company integrated with the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of novel immune-based biologic macromolecule drugs and vaccine products. Tavotek is an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel multispecific antibodies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The two parties also disclosed that they are negotiating collaborative projects on novel biologic macromolecule drugs beyond the oncology field.

“We are delighted to establish a significant strategic alliance with Tavotek, a company boasting an exceptional R&D team, a robust pipeline of multispecific antibody products, and advanced technology platforms in oncology and other therapeutic areas. YS-ON-001 and YS-ON-002, developed by Yisheng Biopharma, are multi-pathway agonists targeting TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5. They effectively activate both innate and adaptive immune responses, modulate the tumor microenvironment, and have demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability profiles during long-term use. In combination with multispecific antibody therapies, these agents hold the promise of substantially improving response rates and overall survival in cancer patients, paving the way for the development of world-leading immuno-oncology drugs. We look forward to collaborating with Tavotek to jointly explore the synergistic effects of YS-ON-001/002 and Tavo-301/303 in cancer treatment,” said Dr. Shao Hui, President and CEO of Yisheng Biopharma.

Dr. Mann Fung, CEO of Tavotek Biopharma, stated, “Tavotek’s mission is to pioneer innovative therapies that deliver superior treatment outcomes for patients in disease areas with unmet medical needs. The strategic collaboration with Yisheng Biopharma aligns closely with our product positioning and corporate mission. Although anticancer drugs targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1/PD-L1 have achieved notable success, clinical response rates remain limited to approximately 20%–30%, leaving the majority of cancer patients unable to benefit from these treatments. We believe that combining YS-ON-001/002 with Tavo-301/303 multispecific antibodies can further enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immuno-oncology agents.”

YS-ON-001/002 are therapeutic biologics developed by Yisheng Biopharma based on its proprietary PIKA immunomodulatory technology platform. These biologic macromolecule drugs act through pathways such as TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5 to activate the immune system for tumor cell killing while simultaneously suppressing the immunosuppressive state within the tumor microenvironment.

YS-ON-001 has entered clinical development in China and Singapore. The product has also been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and liver cancer. Currently, it has received marketing authorization from the Ministry of Health of Cambodia for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

YS-ON-002 currently meets the conditions for clinical development application. YS-ON-001/002 can be effectively integrated with current mainstream cancer treatment regimens, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and other immunotherapies, to enhance the synergistic effects and efficacy of drug treatments.

Tavo-301/303 is a next-generation multispecific immuno-oncology drug developed by Tavotek based on its proprietary TavoSelect™ platform. Leveraging the TavoSelect™ platform, Tavotek’s R&D team designs, constructs, and optimizes the molecular structure of multispecific antibodies. By simultaneously targeting multiple relevant epitopes to modulate immune activation and inhibition pathways, the drug achieves effective inhibition of tumor growth. The TavoSelect™ technology platform also offers additional advantages, including optimization of the pharmacokinetics and stability of large protein molecules, simplification of late-stage drug development, and improvement of manufacturing processes.

Yisheng Biopharma is an international biopharmaceutical company with a comprehensive commercialization platform, specializing in the preclinical research, clinical development, manufacturing, sales, and commercialization of anti-tumor and antiviral biological products. Leveraging its novel PIKA® immunomodulatory technology platform, PIKA-class immunomacromolecular drugs effectively modulate the TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5 signaling pathways to simultaneously regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses.

The Company currently holds two product approval numbers and has more than ten projects under development. Products in the clinical development stage include YS-ON-001 for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, the hepatitis B vaccine YS-HBV-001, and the PIKA rabies vaccine designed to provide rapid immune protection after rabies exposure. Headquartered in Beijing, Yisheng Biopharma maintains business operations in China, Singapore, Cambodia, and the United States, with approximately 500 employees worldwide. For more details, please visit the Company’s website at www.yishengbio.com

Yisheng’s proprietary PIKA technology platform is based on the components of biological macromolecular complexes and has been used to develop agonists that activate the TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5 signaling pathways. By effectively binding to immunologically active protein molecules, the PIKA technology enables the development of next-generation antiviral vaccines, novel antiviral drugs, and cancer immunotherapies. The PIKA technology provides a promising platform for the development of various novel biologics, aiming to improve currently available treatments and address unmet medical needs. The PIKA technology is built upon Yisheng’s independent research achievements in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules.

Endosomal dsRNA is recognized by TLR3, whereas cytoplasmic dsRNA is recognized by the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) family, including RIG-I and MDA-5. Through signaling via TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA-5, PIKA technology can rapidly induce the production of interferons, cytokines, chemokines, and co-stimulatory molecules. The antiviral and antitumor effects of interferons are well established. Type I interferons induced by PIKA promote antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells and enhance immune responses mediated by CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. This cascade of effects makes PIKA technology suitable for the development of antiviral and antitumor therapeutics.

Tavotek is a biotechnology company focused on the early-stage research and development, in-licensing, clinical development, and commercialization of innovative large-molecule biologics. The Company boasts an exceptional new drug R&D team and a robust product pipeline, with therapeutic areas of focus including oncology, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. Its mission is to develop effective therapeutic solutions that deliver superior treatment outcomes for patients and address unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.tavotek.com.

The TavoSelect™ technology platform provides a diverse repertoire of humanized antibody sequences, supporting the development of biologics across multiple modalities, including VHHs, scFvs, IgGs, multispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, and host cell surface receptors. Characterized by innovative screening protocols, next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, and proprietary AI software, the TavoSelect™ platform enables the rapid identification and optimization of lead candidate molecules. Additionally, it facilitates the swift generation of diverse macromolecular therapeutics and the development of medical diagnostic agents.