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Henlius In David Versus Goliath Race With Pfizer For First PD-L1 ADC

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

While Henlius Biotech’s PD-L1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate HLX43 is struggling to catch up with Pfizer’s PF-08046054, the global frontrunner in the space, a key differentiation of the China-originated asset could lie in PD-L1-negative patients.

Henlius’ HLX43 is the second most advanced in the class of PD-L1-targeting ADCs globally, after Pfizer's PDL1V. (Shutterstock)

Shanghai Henlius Biotech is trying to play a David versus Goliath game of catch-up with Pfizer, in pursuit of the commercialization of the world’s first PD-L1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).

Key Takeaways
  • Since January, Chinese firm Henlius has planned or initiated six Phase II studies with HLX43, its PD-L1-targeting ADC, as monotherapy in non-small cell lung and cervical cancer, and nasopharyngeal, esophageal squamous cell, hepatocellular and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

On the surface of the hot race, Henlius’s HLX43, the second most advanced globally in the class, appears to be...

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