PD-1 new partner: BeiGene introduces LAG-3 antibody for US$772 million

Tumor immunotherapy has become one of the current hot tracks

At noon on December 14th, BeiGene issued an announcement stating that it had signed a cooperation with Wei Li Zhibo, from the latter to introduce a global research and development and production license for the LAG-3 antibody LBL-007, as well as an exclusive outside of China Commercialization rights

According to the agreement, Wei Li Zhibo will receive a down payment of US$30 million, and will be eligible to receive a total transaction amount of up to US$742 million after reaching clinical development, drug regulatory approval and sales milestones, and double digits in authorized regions Graded sales royalties

Tumors use the immune checkpoint mechanism to promote the up-regulation of inhibitory receptors, which ultimately leads to the functional damage of T cells, such as decreased proliferation, decreased cytokine release, and decreased tumor killing activity

The PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibody has been approved successively, proving the success of the checkpoint inhibitor pathway

Non-clinical studies have shown that the safety of LBL-007 antibody is controllable, and single-agent or combined anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies have shown anti-tumor activity in mouse subcutaneous xenograft models

LBL-007 antibody preclinical study data

Wei Li Zhibo once announced the clinical phase I study data of the LBL-007 antibody at the 2021 ASCO annual meeting

Wei Li Zhibo Chairman Kang Xiaoqiang also revealed that the combination therapy of LBL-007 antibody and Junshi Biologics PD-1 monoclonal antibody teriprizumab has also entered clinical phase Ib/II

At present, there are more than 20 LAG-3 related drugs under research worldwide, and the fastest progress is BMS's Relatlimab

Relatlimab Phase III trial results

BMS has submitted a listing application for Relatlimab in September

This time, BeiGene has invested heavily to increase, highlighting its determination to innovate

BeiGene's "breakthrough" has long been established

BeiGene BGB-A1217 project

In addition to BeiGene, there are also many domestic Biotech paying attention to the LAG-3 track

Zai Lab, known for its license-in model, obtained the exclusive development and commercialization authorization of MGD013 in Greater China from MacroGenics in November 2018.

Also launching bispecific antibodies for PD-1 and LAG-3 is Aimbio

The LAG-3 antibody DNV3 of Shimai Pharmaceutical is also one of many competitors

It can be expected that with the attention and funding tilt of many pharmaceutical companies, innovative therapies for LAG-3 are expected to achieve a breakthrough in commercialization as soon as possible, bringing more treatment options to patients
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