AbbVie and I-Mab in Cancer Collaboration
US biopharma AbbVie has signed a global collaboration agreement with China’s I-Mab to develop and commercialize lemzoparlimab – also known as TJC4 – an anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody for treating multiple cancers. The companies can also potentially expand the collaboration to include other therapies.
“The addition of I-Mab's novel CD47 programs complements our global clinical strategy in hematology and immuno-oncology,” said Thomas Hudson, AbbVie’s senior vice president of R&D and chief scientific officer. In a recent phase 1 clinical trial, lemzoparlimab showed promising results relating to drug safety and a more favorable pharmacokinetics profile in cancer patients.
Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will pay $180 million upfront to I-Mab for exclusive global rights (excluding greater China) to lemzoparlimab as well as a milestone payment of $20 million for the positive results from the Phase 1 trial. The Chinese biotech will be responsible for developing and commercializing lemzoparlimab in mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong.
I-Mab will also be entitled to earn up to $840 million in future success-based clinical and development milestones as well as up to $900 million in commercial milestones and tiered low-to-mid-teen royalties on net sales.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
