Lilly, Innovent Partner for Cancer Biologics in China

Eli Lilly and Company and Innovent Biologics, Inc. have formed a biotech drug development collaborations in China under which Lilly and Innovent will collaborate to support the development and potential commercialization of at least three cancer treatments over the next decade. The agreement creates possible new treatment options for cancer patients while strengthening the presence of both companies in the Chinese oncology market.

As a part of the agreement, Innovent will lead the development and manufacturing for the China market, and Lilly will be responsible for commercialization of the three potential medicines. Innovent also has co-promotion rights. Under the deal, Lilly will contribute its cMet monoclonal antibody gene for possible treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Separate from this collaboration, Lilly will continue the development of its cMet monoclonal antibody program outside of China. Innovent will contribute its monoclonal antibody targeting protein CD-20 for investigation in hematologic malignancies. Innovent has received investigational new drug approval in China to begin Phase I development of this potential therapy. Innovent will contribute a pre-clinical immuno-oncology molecule for development in China. The companies have agreed that Lilly will be responsible for development, manufacturing, and commercialization of this molecule outside of China. Lilly will also receive rights to develop and commercialize up to three pre-clinical bispecific immuno-oncology molecules outside of China.

Under the terms of the agreement, Innovent will receive a total upfront payment of $56 million. Lilly could also issue future payments exceeding $400 million for the pre-clinical immuno-oncology molecule if the product reaches certain development, regulatory, and sales milestones. Sales royalties and other payments would occur on certain products if commercialized. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

Innovent Biologics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company in China focused on the development and manufacturing of biologics for both the Asian and global markets. Innovent’s strategy is to advance its internal pipeline of proprietary biologic drugs and establish in/out-licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical/biotech companies.

Source: Eli Lilly and Company 

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