On January 2, 2024 MediLink Therapeutics ("MediLink"), reported that it has entered into a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) on the development of a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate candidate YL211, targeting c-Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) against solid tumors (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, JAN 2, 2024, View Source [SID1234638884]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Under the terms of the agreement, MediLink will grant Roche exclusive global rights for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of MediLink’s ADC asset, YL211. MediLink will work together with Roche’s R&D unit China Innovation Center of Roche (CICoR) to initiate the Phase I clinical trial of YL211 and Roche will then take over the further development and commercialization globally. MediLink will receive upfront and near-term milestone payments totaling $50 million and, together with additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments potentially reaching a total deal value nearing $1 billion, as well as tiered royalties on future global annual net sales.
About YL211
YL211 is a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate specifically targeting c-Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met), which belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. c-Met is closely associated with tumor formation, aggressive growth, and metastasis, making it a critical target for treating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Despite c-Met targeting therapies including ADCs showing efficacy for patients with solid tumors, there remains an opportunity to address the significant unmet medical need for patients by providing a better treatment option worldwide. YL211, currently at IND stage, utilizes MediLink’s latest generation TMALIN ADC platform technology, along with a highly specific c-Met antibody. It has demonstrated promising efficacy and safety in various preclinical tumor models and safety evaluation experiments.