Lilly and Innovent expand anti-PD-1 bispecific antibody collaboration

Eli Lilly and Company and Innovent Biologics are expanding their drug development collaboration.

The collaboration between the two companies is already one of the largest in China between a multi-national and domestic biopharmaceutical company.

The companies have said they plan to collaborate to support the development and potential commercialisation of up to three anti-PD-1 based bispecific antibodies for cancer treatments over the next decade, both inside and outside of China. Lilly will create the three preclinical anti-PD-1 based bispecific antibodies using an antibody sequence contributed by Innovent.

As with the previous agreement, Lilly has the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise these potential cancer treatments outside of China. Innovent will now have the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise these potential cancer treatments for China, subject to a Lilly opt-in right for co-development and commercialisation. 

Innovent could receive additional milestones totalling more than $1 billion

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Innovent could receive additional milestones totalling more than $1 billion if the products reach certain development, regulatory and sales milestones, both inside and outside of China. Sales royalties and other payments would occur on certain products if commercialised outside China.

“We believe that combination therapy in immuno-oncology has the potential to transform the way cancer is treated,” said Greg Plowman, M.D., Ph.D., vice president of oncology research at Lilly. “We are pleased to be expanding our collaboration with Innovent to further the development of potential therapies for those fighting cancer in China and around the world.”

Michael Yu, Ph.D., co-founder, president and CEO of Innovent, stated, “We are honored that Lilly is so quickly expanding our relationship and that Lilly is trusting Innovent to develop and manufacture their newly created bispecific antibodies for China. We are excited to be at the forefront of immuno-oncology drug development and to benefit from Lilly’s deep experience in bispecific antibodies.”