Sintilimab

On December 16, Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly announced a collaboration agreement for the non-covalent (reversible) Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, pirtobrutinib, in mainland China. Under this agreement, Innovent Biologics will handle the import, sales, promotion, and distribution, while Eli Lilly will manage R&D and post-market medical affairs. On October 29, Eli Lilly’s pirtobrutinib received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for treating relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adults who have previously received BTK inhibitor treatments. Currently, the domestic market has five approved BTK inhibitors, including ibrutinib, zanubrutinib, ocatabrutinib, and acabrutinib. Sanofi’s Tolebrutinib and Rilzabrutinib are in Phase III clinical trials, while CT-1530 from Shouyao Holdings is in Phase II. The robust development of BTK inhibitors indicates potential market changes. BTK inhibitors work by targeting the BCR signaling pathway, binding to BTK, inhibiting its phosphorylation, and inducing apoptosis, effectively managing B-cell malignancies. Before BTK inhibitors, lymphoma treatments were limited to chemotherapy, anti-CD20 antibodies, and radiotherapy. Ibrutinib, the first BTK inhibitor, revolutionized B-cell cancer treatment since its 2013 debut and was approved in China in 2017. However, sales of ibrutinib have slowed due to competition from similar drugs. Zanubrutinib, developed by BeiGene, reached $1.297 billion in global sales in 2023, marking the first domestic drug to achieve such success, but it now faces increasing competition. Pirtobrutinib, as the first and only non-covalent BTK inhibitor, intensifies competition in this niche market. It shows potential to overcome resistance to covalent BTK inhibitors and offers a new option for relapsed/refractory MCL patients. To highlight its efficacy, Eli Lilly conducted a head-to-head study in the BRUIN MCL-321 trial. By 2030, pirtobrutinib is projected to capture 60% of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia market, equating to $3 billion in annual sales. With advancing technology and new drug development, the BTK market is expanding rapidly. According to Frost & Sullivan, the global BTK market could reach $20 billion by 2025 and $26.1 billion by 2030. In China, the market size is expected to reach RMB 13.1 billion by 2025 and RMB 22.5 billion by 2030. The growing BTK market has attracted numerous pharmaceutical companies. At least 20 BTK inhibitors are in clinical trials domestically, with Shouyao Holdings, Hengrui Medicine, and Hezheng Pharmaceutical leading the way. Ibrutinib’s core patent will expire on December 28, 2026, and at least 10 companies are preparing generics. This will lead to fierce competition among original drugs, domestic innovations, and generics. BeiGene’s zanubrutinib remains a key product, but new competitors like pirtobrutinib pose challenges. The success of pirtobrutinib in China’s market is worth monitoring. Originally developed by Redx Pharma and acquired by Loxo Oncology, pirtobrutinib was purchased by Eli Lilly for $8 billion in 2019. In March 2022, Innovent Biologics secured Chinese commercialization rights for pirtobrutinib with an initial payment of $45 million. The partnership between Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly began in 2015 and has expanded through multiple projects. Despite setbacks like sintilimab’s rejection by the U.S. FDA in 2022, their collaboration continues with other initiatives. Their 2019 cooperation on IBI362, a dual GLP-1R and GCGR agonist, is in Phase II/III trials for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. In March 2022, Eli Lilly’s ramucirumab was approved in China, granting Innovent Biologics exclusive commercialization rights. Additionally, they collaborate on selpercatinib, a RET inhibitor for gene fusion tumors. The cooperation and competition between domestic and multinational pharmaceutical companies are becoming a norm. This model offers a win-win strategy for navigating the global market.

SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today jointly announced a Distribution and Promotion Agreement in Mainland China regarding Lilly's non-covalent (reversible) Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib, 100 mg & 50 mg tablets). The agreement highlights the following aspects: Innovent will be responsible for the importation, marketing, distribution and promotion of Jaypirca®; Lilly will be responsible for the R&D and post-market medical affairs of Jaypirca®. Jaypirca®, a highly selective kinase inhibitor, utilizes a novel non-covalent binding mechanism to re-establish BTK inhibition in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients previously treated with a covalent BTK inhibitor (approved including ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, or orelabrutinib) and extend the benefit of targeting the BTK pathway, thus effectively addressing the unmet clinical needs for these patients. Approved by the U.S. FDA in January 2023, Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib) became the first and only approved non-covalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor. In October 2024, Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib) received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after at least two types of systemic therapy, including a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor (Link). Lilly is conducting comprehensive global Phase 3 development programs (including in China), in first-line and relapse or refractory patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), and BTK inhibitor-naïve relapse or refractory MCL, to explore monotherapy or combination therapy. Under the agreement, Innovent holds the sole commercialization rights for Jaypirca® in Mainland China, overseeing importation, marketing, distribution and promotion. Lilly will be responsible for R&D and post-market medical affairs. Leveraging Innovent's established hematology oncology commercial team and Lilly's deep expertise in drug development and scientific insights in the therapeutic area, the partnership is committed to broadening access to innovative treatments and improving outcomes for cancer patients in Mainland China. Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Innovent, stated: "Building on our long-term strategic collaboration with Lilly, we are proud to expand our collaboration through this agreement. Jaypirca®, the world's first and only approved non-covalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor, represents a breakthrough treatment option for patients who have previously received BTK inhibitors. Innovent has built a robust and leading portfolio in the hematological malignancy field, consisting of TYVYT® (sintilimab injection), HALPRYZA® (rituximab injection), olverembatinib, FUCASO® (Equecabtagene Autoleucel Injection), and Jaypirca®. By fully leveraging our commercialization capabilities and extensive coverage in this field, we aim to bring forward innovative medicines to benefit cancer patients and further enhance our leading position in oncology. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the biopharmaceutical industry through collaborative efforts so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible." Huzur Devletsah, President and General Manager of Lilly China, states, "Lilly is thrilled to appoint Innovent for the distribution and promotion of Jaypirca® marking a pivotal moment in hematologic cancer treatment for Lilly. This agreement allows to rapidly increase patient access in Mainland China by drawing on Innovent's robust market presence and our extensive R&D expertise. Together, we are poised to deliver innovative therapies and support the 'Healthy China 2030' initiative, continuing our commitment: 'In China, For China." About Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib) Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib, formerly known as LOXO-305) is a highly selective (300 times more selective for BTK versus 98% of other kinases tested in preclinical studies), non-covalent (reversible) inhibitor of the enzyme BTK.[i] BTK is a validated molecular target found across numerous B-cell leukemias and lymphomas including mantle cell lymphoma.[ii],[iii] About Innovent's strategic cooperation with Lilly Innovent and Lilly have established a comprehensive level of cooperation, setting an example of partnership between a Chinese innovative pharmaceutical company and a global leading medicine company in the field of R&D, CMC, clinical development and commercialization, aiming to accelerate the access of innovative medicines to benefit more patients worldwide. In March 2015, Innovent entered into a strategic partnership with Lilly focused on biological medicine. Under the initial agreement, Lilly and Innovent co-developed and co-commercialized oncology medicines, including Tyvyt® (sintilimab injection) in China. In October 2015, the two parties announced the extension of collaboration to include the co-development of three additional antibodies in oncology. In August 2019, the cooperation extended with a licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of a potentially global best-in-class investigational GCG/GLP-1 medicine in China. In August 2020, Innovent and Lilly announced a global expansion of their strategic alliance for sintilimab. In March 2022, Lilly and Innovent deepened their engagement in oncology, granting Innovent sole commercialization rights for Cyramza® (ramucirumab) and Retsevmo® (selpercatinib), and a right of first negotiation for potential future commercialization of Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib) in Mainland China. In December 2024, the agreement of the commercialization of Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib) in Mainland China officially achieved. About Innovent Biologics Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 12 products in the market. It has 5 new drug applications under regulatory review, 3 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 17 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, Adimab, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit , or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Statement: （1）Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s). （2）Ramucirumab (Cyramza), Selpercatinib (Retsevmo) and Pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) were developed by Eli Lilly and Company. About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit . Forward-Looking Statements of Innovent Biologics This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent" or "Company"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect. References SOURCE Innovent Biologics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED