Lilly partners with China’s Innovent for new oncology therapies

As part of the deal, both the firms will support the development and potential commercialization of at least three cancer treatments over the next decade. The agreement also strengthens the presence of both companies in the Chinese oncology market.

Lilly Emerging Markets senior vice-president and president Alfonso Zulueta said: "This alliance marks an important milestone in our longstanding commitment to China, and further reinforces our focus to develop collaborative networks to advance research and clinical development in emerging markets."

In addition to the co-promotion rights, Innovent will be responsible for the development and manufacturing for the China market, while Lilly will commercialize the three potential medicines.

The deal will see Lilly contribute its cMet monoclonal antibody gene for possible treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, while Innovent will contribute its monoclonal antibody targeting protein CD-20 for investigation in hematologic malignancies.

Both the firms have also agreed that Lilly will be responsible for development, manufacturing and commercialization of this molecule outside of China.

Under the deal, Lilly will also secure rights to develop and commercialize up to three pre-clinical bispecific immuno-oncology molecules outside of China.

A total upfront payment of $56m will be secured by Innovent, while Lilly could also issue future payments exceeding $400m for the pre-clinical immuno-oncology molecule if the product reaches certain development, regulatory and sales milestones.

In China, Innovent has received investigational new drug approval to initiate Phase I development of this potential therapy.