Genmab Sheds Two ADCs, Advances Rina-S to Phase III and Acquires Merus for $8 Billion to Strengthen Oncology Pipeline

Nov 18, 2025 10:12 CST Updated 10:12

Genmab

Differentiated Antibody Therapy Developer

AbbVie

Innovative Drug Developer

Merus

Antibody Therapy Developer

Abstract:Danish pharmaceutical company Genmab has recently terminated the development of two antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) from ProfoundBio, namely GEN1160 for various cancers and the solid tumor candidate GEN1107. This move is a continuation of its portfolio optimization strategy. Meanwhile, the company is fully advancing the Phase III clinical trial of its star ADC drug Rina-S and strengthening its position in the bispecific antibody field through an $8 billion acquisition of Merus, continuously adjusting its layout in the cancer therapy sector.

Two ADCs Successively Encounter Setbacks, with Clinical Trial Obstacles Being the Main Cause

Following the termination of the solid tumor candidate drug GEN1107 in September, Genmab recently announced the discontinuation of the Phase I/II clinical trial for the ADC drug GEN1160. A company spokesperson stated that the termination was primarily due to low patient enrollment rates in the clinical trial and is also part of the portfolio prioritization strategy.

GEN1160 was originally highly anticipated, with clinical trials targeting three types of cancer: renal cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The previously failed GEN1107 was terminated because the Phase I/II clinical trial showed that its risk-benefit ratio did not meet expectations. Both drugs came from Genmab's $1.8 billion acquisition of ProfoundBio in April 2024. Their successive abandonment within a short six months highlights the high risks involved in ADC development.

Genmab emphasized that divesting part of its assets is to concentrate resources on innovative antibody drugs with greater potential, ensuring R&D investment brings more meaningful therapeutic breakthroughs to patients.

Star Assets Lead the Way: Rina-S Faces Patent Litigation and Competitive Challenges

While divesting non-core assets, Genmab has shifted its focus to ProfoundBio's star ADC drug, Rina-S (rinatabart sesutecan). Targeting ovarian and endometrial cancers, this drug has shown impressive recent clinical data.

In May this year, Rina-S achieved an unconfirmed response rate of 50% in patients with advanced endometrial cancer, surpassing analysts' expectations and driving the launch of its Phase III clinical trial this month. Supplementary data from the Phase I/II trial published in October showed that the drug’s objective response rate also reached 50%, with two patients achieving complete cancer remission, further strengthening its market prospects.

However, the development path of Rina-S has not been smooth. U.S.-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie accused ProfoundBio’s ADC technology of being derived from trade secrets stolen by a former employee, and filed a lawsuit against Genmab in March. Genmab stated it would vigorously defend itself, pointing out that AbbVie had previously filed similar lawsuits against several biotech companies, including Adcentrx and BeiGene. Additionally, Rina-S will also face direct market competition from Elahere, a similar drug under AbbVie.

$8 Billion Acquisition to Fill Gaps, Cancer Pipeline Continues to Expand

Despite a contraction in the ADC field, Genmab's expansion in the cancer therapy sector has not slowed. At the end of September, the company acquired Dutch biotech firm Merus for $8 billion, bringing the bispecific antibody drug petosemtamab into its portfolio.

This drug showed outstanding performance in Phase II clinical trials, with a 12-month survival rate of 79% for PD-L1 positive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, earning praise from analysts as "the best-in-disease candidate drug." This acquisition not only enriches Genmab's oncology pipeline but also strengthens its competitiveness in the bispecific antibody field.

At the same time, Genmab is still advancing the development of another ADC drug from ProfoundBio, GEN1286 (formerly PRO1286), which is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for patients with advanced solid tumors. Through a combination of "divesting weaker assets + focusing on core drugs + strategic acquisitions," Genmab is continuously optimizing its cancer therapy portfolio, aiming to secure a favorable position in the highly competitive market.

References:https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/genmab-sheds-another-clinical-adc-18b-profoundbio-buy

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