Takeda expands its ADC and immuno-oncology pipeline as Innovent deal closes

[Credit: Michael Vi/Shutterstock.com].

Takeda has bolstered its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and immuno-oncology pipeline with the addition of several candidates from Innovent Biologics.

Its collaboration with the Chinese biopharma company, which has just been finalised, covers several potential next-generation therapies and could be worth up to $11.4 billion for Innovent.

The deal includes advancing Innovent’s ADC candidates IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2^α-bias) and IBI343 (CLDN18.2 ADC), plus an option for the early-stage programme IBI3001 (EGFR/B7H3 ADC).

IBI363 is being evaluated in non-small cell lung and colorectal cancers, and has some promise in additional solid tumour types, while the development of IBI343 is focused on gastric and pancreatic cancers.

Dr Hui Zhou, Chief R&D Officer of Innovent Biologics’ Oncology Pipeline, said: “The development of next-generation [immuno-oncology] and ADC drugs will be a crucial direction for innovation and transformation in the global oncology treatment landscape. IBI363 and IBI343 have the potential to become breakthrough therapies that fill critical unmet needs in global oncology treatment.

“With clear, aligned development plans, Innovent’s deep understanding of these assets, combined with Takeda’s extensive experience and strong development and commercialisiation capabilities, we are poised to maximize the clinical potential of these assets across multiple indications. We look forward to the collaboration with our partner going forward.”

Initially announced on 22 October, the collaboration aims to accelerate the global development and commercialisation of Innovent’s treatments. The firm is eligible for a total of approximately $10.2 billion from Takeda as part of the agreement, receiving $1.2 billion upfront.

Under the agreement, Takeda has commercialisation rights for IBI363 in markets outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, with co-commercialisation rights in the US. The deal also gives Takeda manufacturing rights to supply IBI363 outside of the ‘Greater China’ area, with the exception of the US where the partners will share rights for commercial supply.

For IBI343, Takeda has exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise the drug, outside of Greater China.

Manufacturing capabilities for both candidates will be established in the US, Takeda confirmed.

Meanwhile, Takeda also has the exclusive option to license global rights to the early-stage candidate IBI3001 in all countries outside Greater China.

In January, Innovent granted rights to Roche to develop its DLL3-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC), a potential best-in-class candidate being developed for advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Innovent is eligible for a potential $1 billion as part of this agreement.