Benralizumab

AstraZeneca is further increasing the Qingdao site’s production capacity of inhaled aerosols. The move is designed to help the drugmaker better meet the needs of patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. AstraZeneca is pouring $136 million more into the expansion of an inhalants production base in China.The latest investment brings the British pharma’s total investment at the site in Qingdao to $886 million. AstraZeneca unveiled (Chinese) the outlay Wednesday at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), an annual event where foreign companies parade their commitments to the country. The announcement also follows days of drug pricing negotiations between manufacturers and the Chinese government to hash out coverage under China’s national insurance scheme. AZ’s injectable biologic drug for asthma, Fasenra, along with cancer therapies Truqap and Calquence, are among those vying for a spot on China's National Reimbursement Drug List.Last year, AZ’s partner Daiichi Sankyo made a $152 million commitment to build an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) manufacturing facility in Shanghai, just as the two firms’ HER2-directed ADC Enhertu was added to national coverage.AZ first unveiled its plan to build the Qingdao facility in 2022, with a $450 million investment deal signed with the local government the following March. At that time, the project was billed as a capacity expansion for AZ’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) inhaler Breztri Aerosphere.The British pharma has since repeatedly amped up investments in the site, first with $250 million in August 2023 to increase filling capacity and add new packaging lines, followed by another $50 million last August. By then, the facility was said to have the capacity to make 54 million doses of respiratory medications annually, with AZ predicting the site would come online in 2028. The latest funds will further beef up the site’s production capacity of inhaled aerosols to meet the needs of patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, AZ said in a Nov. 5 release.In parallel, AZ has been executing a $475 million plan to build a small-molecule factory in Wuxi, China—a project that was first unveiled at the 2023 CIIE event.Entering this year, AZ in March outlined a global R&D center in Beijing as part of a $2.5 billion investment in the city. The total amount also covers partnerships with local biotechs, a manufacturing plant in China’s capital, and additional hires. The Beijing R&D center, which is AZ’s sixth globally, is now operational, the company said on Oct. 25.The R&D move came as Chinese authorities launched a probe into illegal drug importation at AZ’s local operations. Several AZ employees, including then China head Leon Wang, were implicated in the investigation. AZ has since shuffled its Chinese organization, installing Iskra Reic, Ph.D., as the new EVP of international overseeing the Chinese business, among other markets. “AstraZeneca remains committed to deepening its presence in China and working hand in hand with partners to help China become a key hub for global healthcare innovation,” Reic said in a Chinese statement on the new investment. “The expansion of our Qingdao facility announced at the CIIE reflects our confidence in China’s innovation ecosystem and our vision to work together to promote scientific progress for the common health.”AZ has emerged from the importation scandal largely unscathed. In February, the company said it could face a fine of up to $4.5 million over illegal imports of cancer drugs Imfinzi and Imjudo. Then, in April, AZ said penalties related to illegal imports of Enhertu could reach $8 million.In the first half of the year, AZ reported 5% revenue growth in China at constant currencies, reaching $3.5 billion for the period, thanks in part to strong performance from Breztri. The company will report third-quarter earnings Thursday.

Funding to advance EXPD-101, a Phase 2–ready, once-daily, oral DPP1 inhibitor with first-in-class potential into a global development program in COPD, and a broad spectrum of other neutrophil-driven diseases. Financing co-led by Sofinnova Investments and Novo Holdings, with participation from Forbion, Dawn Biopharma (a platform controlled by KKR), Adage, Balyasny, Logos Capital, Sanofi Ventures, and existing investors BVF Partners and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners. Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Akero Therapeutics and former CMO of Gilead Sciences, named Chairman of the Board. SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expedition Therapeutics, a biotech company developing therapies for novel inflammatory and respiratory diseases, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed and upsized $165 million Series A financing. The round was co-led by Sofinnova Investments and Novo Holdings, with additional investment from Forbion, Dawn Biopharma (a platform controlled by KKR), Adage, Balyasny, Logos Capital, Sanofi Ventures, and existing investors BVF Partners and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners. Proceeds will advance Expedition’s lead candidate, EXPD-101, through a global Phase 2 study in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current COPD therapies offer limited benefits, particularly in non-type 2 COPD, which affects nearly 70% of patients. The funding will also support indication expansion, positioning the program with first-in-class and best-in-class potential across a broad range of neutrophil-driven inflammatory diseases. EXPD-101 is a next-generation DPP1 inhibitor with first-in-class potential. It is designed to target neutrophilic inflammation, which is a key underlying driver of COPD across the disease spectrum. In Phase 1 studies, EXPD-101 was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities and demonstrated clear target engagement with pharmacokinetics supporting a once-daily oral dosing. “Most COPD patients lack effective treatment options,” said Yi Larson, Founder and CEO, Expedition Therapeutics. “DPP1 represents an exciting new mechanism for COPD, and EXPD-101 has the potential to be a first-in-class therapy with this target. This financing from top-tier investors allows us to accelerate development, with the potential to treat a broad range of COPD patients, addressing a major unmet need and improving the standard of care for millions. Beyond COPD, EXPD-101 also has first/best-in-class potential to address a broad spectrum of other neutrophil-driven diseases in the future.” In August 2025, Expedition acquired exclusive worldwide rights, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, from Fosun Pharma to develop and commercialize EXPD-101 in all indications. EXPD-101 is currently advancing in a Phase 2 bronchiectasis study led by partner Fosun Pharma within China. Expedition is led by a management team with deep experience in respiratory therapeutics, drug development, and corporate strategy: Yi Larson, Founder and CEO, former CFO of LianBio and Turning Point Therapeutics. Over $100 billion in M&A and financing transactions at Goldman Sachs, and board roles at RayzeBio and Olema Oncology. Geoff Gilmartin, M.D., CMO, with leadership experience at AstraZeneca and Vertex and formerly Chief Medical Officer of Proteostatis. Most recently Geoff led the benralizumab (Fasenra) program across multiple indications including COPD and asthma. Eric Hu, Ph.D., Chief Business Officer, with 20 years of R&D and business development experience at Overland Pharma, Turning Point Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences, and Mitsubishi Tanabe. The company is advised by a world-class scientific committee led by James Chalmers, M.D., Ph.D.; Alvar Agustí, M.D., Ph.D.; Mark Dransfield, M.D.; Dave Singh, M.D.; and Surya Bhatt, M.D. This team of globally recognized COPD leaders brings decades of clinical and translational expertise. “Expedition is led by a proven team with deep expertise in respiratory drug development and a strategy that could deliver a disease controlling therapy for COPD,” said Jonathan Leff, M.D., Executive Partner, Sofinnova Investments. “We are excited to partner with the company to advance this important mission.” “COPD is one of the largest and fastest growing healthcare challenges globally, and Expedition’s unique approach has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes,” said Ken Harrison, Ph.D., Senior Partner, Novo Holdings. “We look forward to supporting the company’s growth as it advances EXPD-101 in the clinic.” Joining the Expedition Board of Directors as part of this financing are Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. (CEO, Akero Therapeutics; former CMO, Gilead Sciences), Erin Lavelle (former COO/CFO, ProfoundBio), Regina Salvat, Ph.D. (Principal, Forbion), Jonathan Leff, M.D. (Executive Partner, Sofinnova Investments), Ken Harrison, Ph.D. (Senior Partner, Novo Holdings), and Gorjan Hrustanovic, Ph.D. (Partner, BVF Partners L.P.) alongside Yi Larson, Founder & CEO, Expedition Therapeutics. About Expedition Therapeutics Expedition Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel therapies for serious inflammatory and respiratory diseases. The company’s lead program, EXPD-101, is a next-generation once-daily DPP1 inhibitor with first-in-class potential in COPD and first/best-in-class potential across a broad spectrum of other neutrophil-driven diseases. Expedition combines deep translational expertise, clinical development experience, and a platform for in-licensing global innovation. For more information, visit www.expeditiontx.com.