HLB LifeScience Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.’s combination therapy for liver cancer has hit a stumbling block in the form of a US complete response letter (CRL), mainly related to issues around chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC), along with bioresearch monitoring (BIMO).
Glitch For HLB/Hengrui’s Liver Cancer Combo After US CRL
Quick Resolution Of CMC Issues Expected
The US approval of HLB and Hengrui’s liver cancer combination therapy looks set to be delayed after the FDA issues a CRL related mainly to CMC data, but the two companies appear positive on a quick resolution to the setback given a lack of other efficacy or safety concerns.

More from South Korea
South Korea's LigaChem is kickstarting a growth and globalization drive through a potential future acquisition of UK ADC player IKSUDA.
A new report from a domestic institute on South Korea’s biopharma M&A trends shows a pickup in activity, but that this remains relatively weak and small-scale. It calls for broader domestic government support to build expertise, drive innovation and globalization.
Cross-Asian initiative has already brought several South Korean gene and cell therapy startups and Japanese VCs closer, with further hopes for product development and launches in Japan, regulatory harmonization and gliobalization.
The latest activity in the South Korean biotech sector includes IPOs by Orum and Dongkook Life, as well as progress with ADCs at multiple firms.
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South Korea's LigaChem is kickstarting a growth and globalization drive through a potential future acquisition of UK ADC player IKSUDA.