China-based Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals has announced a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Japan’s Astellas Pharma Inc. (TYO: 4503), focusing on Elpiscience’s innovative bi-specific macrophage engager, ES019, along with another program. The partnership will involve joint early-stage research on these two initiatives, with Elpiscience granting Astellas the option to include up to two additional programs in the collaboration. Should Astellas exercise this option, it will gain exclusive rights to further research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize the resulting products.
Elpiscience is set to receive up to USD 37 million in upfront payments and licensing fees, along with research funding from Astellas to support the advancement of these programs. Following Astellas’ exercise of its option, Elpiscience could potentially earn over USD 1.7 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. Additionally, Elpiscience will receive royalties ranging from single-digit to lower double-digit percentages on net sales for licensed products associated with each program.
Elpiscience is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next-generation immuno-oncology therapies. The company’s Bispecific Macrophage Engager Platform (BiME) utilizes anti-tumor associated antigens (TAA) and anti-signal-regulatory protein α (SIRPα) bispecific antibodies to enhance tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) phagocytosis against specific TAA-expressing tumor cells. This platform demonstrates potent phagocytosis through the engagement of Fc receptors on TAMs and tumor cells, while also blocking the CD47-SIRPα “don’t eat me” signaling pathway. ES019, an anti-PD-L1/SIRPα bispecific antibody, is a key application of this technology.- Flcube.com
