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Can BlissBio’s HER2-Targeting ADC Challenge Enhertu In Breast Cancer?

Eisai Deal Sets Stage For Battle

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

A new deal worth up to $2bn-plus with Eisai has put Bliss Biopharmaceutical's HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate BB-1701 in the spotlight, as the global race heats up to find a possible challenger to Enhertu.

challenger facing hurdles
Any serious challenger to Enhertu will face hurdles, especially in breast cancer • Source: Shutterstock

Japanese major Eisai Co., Ltd.’s option deal worth up to $2bn-plus for the in-licensing of a HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developed by Chinese biotech Bliss Biopharmaceutical (BlissBio), showed just how intensively international pharma firms are scouting China-originated assets for a potential challenger to Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd./AstraZeneca PLC's Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for breast cancer.

Eisai and BlissBio announced on 8 May a clinical trial collaboration agreement with an option for a strategic collaboration for...

More from China

Chinese Cell And Gene Therapy Developers Ride Funding Spree

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Suzhou-based Accuredit Therapeutics led the pack of recent China financings with a $75m series A. Other major funding rounds in the country backed by venture capital and private equity firms included Beijing GRIT Biotechnology's $53.5m series C.

QL Biopharm’s Zovaglutide Offers Potentially Safer Once-Monthly Obesity Option

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Zovaglutide tied Amgen’s MariTide in weight reduction at Week 24 in a Phase II study, but with a potentially better safety profile. However, efficacy versus existing once-weekly drugs is a remaining question.

EADV: Ascletis/Sagimet’s Acne Drug Shows Rapid Efficacy In China Phase III Trial

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Ascletis presented updated results at EADV showing denifanstat could significantly improve acne conditions versus placebo in Chinese patients after four weeks of treatment.

China’s Therapeutic mRNA Vaccine Pipeline For Oncology The Largest Globally

 
• By Xu Hu

Nearly half of the mRNA-based therapeutic vaccines for cancer in the R&D pipeline globally are from Chinese companies, although financing activities in the area have been relatively quiet so far this year in China compared with 2020-23.

More from Focus On Asia

Chinese Cell And Gene Therapy Developers Ride Funding Spree

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Suzhou-based Accuredit Therapeutics led the pack of recent China financings with a $75m series A. Other major funding rounds in the country backed by venture capital and private equity firms included Beijing GRIT Biotechnology's $53.5m series C.

US Confirms 15% Tariff On Japanese Drugs, But Confusion Lingers

 
• By Lisa Takagi

After tough negotiations which won the country a lower US levy on pharmaceuticals, there still appears to be some confusion within the Japanese government following President Trump's latest announcement on global pharma tariffs.

GLP-1s: Lilly, Novo Gallop In India, Generic Firms Gear ‘To Finish The Race’

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Leaders from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Biocon, Dr Reddy’s and Levim discuss the huge India market potential for GLP-1s. Executives from the Indian firms also outlined efforts to build supply chain stability and cost-efficiency for products like semaglutide.