Three large pharma companies are locked in a high-stakes antibody-drug conjugate race. Merck and Daiichi Sankyo teamed up on a DLL3 T-cell engager. Eisai inked a molecular glue degrader deal with BeyondSpring that could be worth up to $1.5 billion. And more.
1. 3 Big Pharma companies, 33 phase 3 trials: The race for supremacy in an ADC field
Three large pharma companies have invested heavily in their TROP2 antibody-drug conjugates, including by running 33 multinational phase 3 trials. The race involves two Asian firms: Daiichi Sankyo in Japan and Kelun Biotech in China. This Fierce Pharma feature article explores why the companies have made such broad and swift commitments in the field and discusses various considerations for each of the three meds.
2. Merck advances lung cancer attack, pocketing $170M from Daiichi and plotting ADC-trispecific combo
Following their massive antibody-drug conjugate deal, Merck and Daiichi have linked up again. This time, Daiichi is paying $170 million to take a stake in MK-6070, a DLL3-targeted trispecific T-cell engager that Merck just got from its acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics. The drug is being developed in small cell lung cancer, and the two firms are planning to study it in combination with their B7-H3-directed ADC.
3. Eisai plants molecular glue SEED with $1.5B biobucks deal in neuro, oncology
Eisai has signed a $1.5 billion biobucks deal with BeyondSpring’s molecular glue degrader-focused subsidiary Seed Therapeutics for undisclosed neurodegeneration and oncology targets. Seed will perform the preclinical work and identify the drug targets for Eisai to take further. Eisai has also led a $24 million series A-3 funding round for the small biotech.
4. BeiGene’s Brukinsa takes flight as Tevimbra hits another delay (release)
BeiGene’s BTK inhibitor Brukinsa has pulled off a stellar second quarter, with sales reaching $637 million and handily beating analysts’ consensus by 21%. As Citi analysts pointed out in a Wednesday note, Brukinsa captured about 70% of the growth in the covalent BTK class during the period. As previously feared, an FDA decision for the company’s PD-1 inhibitor Tevimbra in first-line esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has been delayed because of late clinical site inspections.
5. Cullinan hands back bispecific to Harbour BioMed a year after paying $25M for US rights
Cullinan Therapeutics has decided to return a B7-H4x4-1BB bispecific to Harbour BioMed after seeing phase 1 data. The original deal, signed in early 2023 about a year into a phase 1 solid tumor trial, featured a $25 million upfront payment and $550 million in potential milestones. Cullinan's CEO said the company will focus on its most promising programs, including a CD19xCD3 bispecific.
Other News of Note:
6. Genor outlicenses bispecific, takes stake in Third Rock-backed newco (release)
7. FDA hits Aurobindo's Eugia unit with 'Official Action Indicated' label in wake of plant inspection