The global partnership, which will exclude the Greater China region, is expected to fetch more than $350m to Kelun-Biotech in addition to royalties based on annual net sales.
A167 is an immune-oncology investigational antibody which functions by binding to immune checkpoint protein PD-L1, after which it reactivates T cells in the body against cancer cells.
According to Harbour BioMed, A167 has potential application in a various types of solid tumor and hematological malignancies as monotherapy and in combination with other drug candidates.
Currently the anti-PD-L1 antibody developed by Kelun-Biotech is being evaluated in multiple phase 1 and phase 2 trials in China for the treatment of lymphoma and solid tumors.
Harbour BioMed founder, chairman and CEO Jingsong Wang said: “Anti-PD-L1 therapy has been validated in many clinical trials in the Immuno-Oncology area. A167 has significant potential as a single agent and as the foundation for combination therapy with other innovative drugs.
“We are delighted to advance A167 globally and work closely with Kelun-Biotech to achieve its therapeutic potential.”
As per the terms of the agreement, Harbour BioMed will pay Kelun-Biotech upfront, development and regulatory milestones, and commercial milestones based on predefined goals. In return, Harbour BioMed will get exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize A167 in regions outside of Greater China.
The partners will also work together in developing combination therapies of A167 with other agents for commercialization in their respective territories.
Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech also agreed to share data created from their own research and clinical trials to back mono and combination therapies of A167 with other agents for their development and registration.
Kelun-Biotech CEO Tongtong Xue said: “The Harbour team brings extensive global clinical development experience that will accelerate clinical trials with A167, especially in the area of combinational therapies.
“We entered a strategic partnership with Harbour to co-discover, co-develop and commercialize antibodies against innovative targets, based on Harbour’s leading fully human antibody discovery platforms. We have made significant progress in our joint discovery programs against multiple targets in oncology and immunological diseases.”