AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's Dato-DXd failed to improve survival in a breast cancer study. Gilead Sciences' Kite will bow out of its China joint venture with Fosun Pharma. Korea's Yuhan ended an EGFR inhibitor partnership with Johnson & Johnson but signed an HIV drug supply deal with Gilead. And more.
1. AstraZeneca, Daiichi's Trodelvy rival fails to improve overall survival in breast cancer trial
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) failed to improve overall survival compared with chemotherapy in patients with previously treated HR-positive, HER2-low or -negative breast cancer in the phase 3 TROPION-Breast01 trial. The study previously met its other dual primary endpoint, progression-free survival, and the FDA is reviewing an application for the TROP2 antibody-drug conjugate based on that readout.
2. Gilead's Kite exits China cell therapy joint venture with Fosun Pharma
Gilead Sciences' Kite Pharma is leaving its China joint venture with Fosun Pharma. Fosun will pay $27 million to buy Kite out of its 50% stake in Fosun Kite Biotechnology nearly eight years after the formation of the business. Fosun will gain full control in China over Yescarta and Tecartus. Kite’s exit from the Fosun JV comes as CAR-T therapies face patient access and reimbursement challenges in China.
3. Gilead taps Korea's Yuhan to supply HIV drug ingredients in $81M deal
Gilead has inked a deal worth $80.9 million for Korea’s Yuhan to help supply active pharmaceutical ingredients for its HIV meds. Yuhan co-promotes several Gilead HIV drugs, including the blockbuster Biktarvy, in Korea. Meanwhile, after the success of a partnership between Yuhan and Johnson & Johnson on the third-generation EGFR inhibitor Leclaza, the two firms have parted ways on a fourth-generation EGFR drug, Korea Biomedical Review reports.
4. Sanofi obtains I-Mab spinoff’s CD73 antibody in China (release, Chinese)
Sanofi has in-licensed greater China rights to a CD73 antibody from TJ Biopharma. The drug, called uliledlimab, is currently being tested alongside Junshi Biosciences’ PD-1 inhibitor toripalimab in a pivotal non-small cell lung cancer study in China. The deal features 32 million euros ($36 million) in upfront and near-term payments for TJ Biopharma and could be worth up to 213 million euros. TJ was formed earlier this year from I-Mab’s divestment of its Chinese operations.
5. Bayer opens Shanghai life science incubator, adding to growing network (release)
Bayer has opened the doors to its life science incubator, Bayer Co.Lab, in Shanghai. The incubator will provide lab and working space and tailored support for startups. The German company unveiled the project in November 2023 alongside another incubator in Kobe, Japan. At the time, the company said it would collaborate with Shanghai Pharma from the new site to advance oncology and cell and gene therapy innovations.
6. Daiichi, AZ's first Enhertu DTC campaign kicks off during Thursday Night Football
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo have rolled out their first direct-to-consumer campaign for their star HER2 ADC Enhertu. Dan Switzer, head of Daiichi’s U.S. oncology business, explained in an interview: “Because we’re broadening the HER2-positive and the HER2-low and -ultralow landscape, we want to use it as an educational opportunity for the patients we think we can impact most immediately.”
Other News of Note
8. Gilead dominates Asian patient groups' drugmaker reputation rankings
9. Regulatory tracker: Japanese regulators greenlight meds from Amgen, Eli Lilly, Takeda and Nxera