Innovent Biologics has announced $1 Billion ADC Oncology Licensing Agreement with Roche

This partnership will focus on the development of IBI3009, a DLL3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) aimed at treating advanced small cell lung cancer.

IBI3009 has already received Investigational New Drug (IND) approvals in Australia, China, and the United States, with the first patient dosed in a Phase 1 clinical study in December 2024.

As part of the agreement, Innovent will receive an upfront payment of $80 million from Roche, which will take over the further development of IBI3009. The two companies will collaborate on the early-stage development of this ADC candidate before Roche assumes full responsibility for its ongoing development and commercialization. Innovent stands to earn up to $1 billion in milestone payments tied to the drug’s development and commercialization, along with tiered royalties based on net sales.

“We are excited to enter this partnership with the Innovent team to further develop this promising investigational treatment for patients with small cell lung cancer. This partnership builds on Roche’s long history of innovation in the area of ADCs, to address the unmet needs of patients with solid tumors with transformational medicines.” –  says Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Corporate Business Development at Roche

Roche’s recent deal with Innovent Biologics is part of the company’s ongoing efforts in the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) sector. Earlier in January 2024, Roche entered into a $66 million upfront agreement with Moma Therapeutics to utilize its KnowledgeBase ADC platform, which targets various cancers and includes potential milestone payments that could total up to $2 billion.

After that, Roche secured a $1 billion agreement with MediLink, a Chinese company, granting exclusive rights to YL211, an ADC under development for solid tumors. These strategic partnerships highlight Roche’s commitment to expanding its ADC portfolio and addressing the needs of cancer patients.

IBI3009 Targeting DLL3 with TOPO1i Platform for Chemotherapy-Resistant Tumors

IBI3009 is an innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets DLL3, a protein that is not commonly found in normal tissues but is significantly overexpressed in certain cancers, particularly small-cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine tumors. Developed using Innovent’s proprietary topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (TOPO1i) platform, IBI3009 aims to enhance the effectiveness of targeted therapies by disrupting DNA replication in cancer cells.

“We are delighted to once again enter a strategic collaboration with Roche, a global leader in oncology, to advance our potentially best-in-class DLL3 ADC candidate. By combining Roche’s scientific expertise and global development capabilities with our innovative approach, we are taking a significant step forward in our mission—to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals.” – said Dr. Samuel Zhang, Chief Business Officer of Innovent.

Researchers have identified IBI3009 as a promising candidate among DLL3-targeting ADCs, demonstrating strong anti-tumor activity in various mouse models, especially in cancers resistant to chemotherapy. Additionally, preclinical studies have shown that IBI3009 has a favorable safety profile, making it a noteworthy option for treating challenging cancer types.

About Innovent Biologics

Founded in 2011, Innovent Biologics is a Chinese biopharmaceutical company committed to developing, manufacturing, and commercializing high-quality innovative medicines accessible to all. The company focuses on treating challenging diseases in oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and ophthalmology.

Innovent was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on October 31, 2018, and has since achieved significant milestones, including the launch of multiple products such as TYVYT (sintilimab) and BYVASDA (bevacizumab). With a fully integrated platform for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization, Innovent collaborates with leading international partners to enhance its capabilities and improve patient outcomes.

About Roche

Roche is a global healthcare leader based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 1896. It is the world’s largest biotech company, specializing in innovative pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche operates through two main divisions: Pharmaceuticals, which develops treatments for various diseases, and Diagnostics, a leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics.

With a presence in over 100 countries and more than 100,000 employees, Roche is committed to personalized healthcare and invests heavily in research and development—CHF 12.2 billion in 2020 alone. The company focuses on addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes while maintaining strong sustainability and ethical business practices.