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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...

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BlissBio Goes Solo On HER2-Targeting ADC After Eisai Exit

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

BlissBio is to single-handedly move BB-1701, its eribulin-containing, HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, into a global pivotal Phase II/III program for HER2-expressing, Enhertu-resistant breast cancer.

US Tariff Overhang Weighs on Chinese API Exports

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Chinese API exports to the US fell by 24% year-on-year to $255m in May, when the US and China called a truce in a previously escalating trade war.

Chinese Developers Showcase Potentially Differentiated Weight Loss Assets At ADA

 
• By Xu Hu

Multiple Chinese firms presented at this year’s ADA meeting, with a focus on weight reduction efficacy for mostly early clinical stage assets. While limited information was given on lean mass preservation, several companies are progressing drugs and combos to address this need.

China Signals Restarting IPOs For Unprofitable Biotechs

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has proposed a new “growth tier” for the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, to reinstate the market’s listing standards for unprofitable firms.

More from Focus On Asia

Torrent Acquires JB Chem In 2025’s Biggest Deal For Indian Pharma

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Torrent Pharma’s JB Chemicals acquisition follows the Curatio deal and Boehringer brands buyout. The second-biggest deal ever and the largest in 2025 among domestic pharma companies helps Torrent fill white spaces in areas like nephrology and gives an entry into the CDMO segment

Snapshot Of India’s Pharma Manufacturing Network Amid ‘Trumponomics’

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Scrip collates data on the global manufacturing network of leading Indian drug makers, the markets serviced and production hubs for active pharmaceutical ingredients. Will ongoing geopolitical tensions and policy shifts have a bearing on some of these down the line?

GSK, Bharat On Shigella Vaccine Phase II Data Timelines, Malaria Vaccine Price Halving

 
• By Vibha Ravi

GSK tells Scrip about timelines for data expected from two Phase II trials for its Bharat Biotech-partnered shigella vaccine candidate, which puts it ahead of Limmatech/Valneva. Meanwhile, a global-first malaria vaccine, also partnered with Bharat, sees an over 50% price cut