On February 26, 2021 Novartis reported that it has closed the in-licensing of tislelizumab from BeiGene, Ltd. in North America, Europe and Japan (Press release, Novartis, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575770]). Tislelizumab is a uniquely designed anti-PD-1 antibody, specifically engineered to minimize binding to FcyR on macrophages, that is approved in China for certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer, classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma and metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

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"We are very excited about the recent positive results from BeiGene’s global trials of tislelizumab in non-small cell lung cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the opportunity to discuss these data with health authorities," said Susanne Schaffert, PhD, President, Novartis Oncology. "We look forward to collaborating with BeiGene to initiate additional global clinical trials of tislelizumab in combination with Novartis Oncology therapies to fully tap the potential of this uniquely designed anti PD-1, and ultimately enable access to tislelizumab to people living with cancer."

Novartis has identified multiple opportunities to combine tislelizumab with other therapies in the Novartis portfolio and pipeline. Tislelizumab is currently being studied in non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, with broad potential in several other solid tumors.