On January 14, 2021 Henlius Fuhong (2696.HK) reported that it has signed an exclusive license agreement with Chiome Bioscience, Inc. ("Chiome") for anti-TROP2 antibodies, and Henlius has obtained the project in China (Press release, Shanghai Henlius Biotech, JAN 14, 2021, View Source [SID1234574030]). (Including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Region) Exclusive rights and project background intellectual property rights for research, development, production and commercialization. TROP2 (Trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2, trophoblast cell surface antigen 2) is overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma and various types of solid tumors. It is a therapeutic target for tumor, and has development potential in antibody-conjugated drugs (ADC), bispecific antibodies, combination therapy and other directions.
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TROP2 is a class of biomarkers first discovered on the surface of invasive trophoblast cells. Studies have shown that it can play a regulatory function in cell proliferation and migration, self-renewal, and maintenance of basement membrane integrity [1]. A large number of research results show that, relative to the expression level in normal cells, TROP2 is highly expressed in many different types of human tumors, and it plays an important role in tumorigenesis, development and invasion. Pre-clinical studies have shown that antibodies targeting TROP2 can effectively inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells in animal cancer models, and exhibit synergistic effects with a variety of anti-tumor therapies [2]. A number of recent clinical trials have also confirmed that antibody-conjugated drugs (ADCs) targeting TROP2 may have positive clinical effects on a variety of solid tumors including triple-negative breast cancer [3].
According to the agreement, Henlius will obtain the exclusive license for anti-TROP2 antibodies, which can conduct research, development, production and commercialization of human medicine and diagnostic applications (excluding radioimmunotherapy and photoimmunotherapy) in the project within the license area. And the right to transfer the project to a third party. At the same time, Chiome also granted Fuhong Henlius the first option to exclusively develop, produce and commercialize the project in other parts of the world.
It is believed that through the introduction of TROP2 target products, Henlius’ existing rich product pipeline will be further expanded. With rich experience in target development and a mature integrated R&D platform, the company will also conduct comprehensive research and development around the TROP2 target, give full play to its potential in the treatment of multiple solid tumors, and actively develop more treatments with better curative effects .