Nona Biosciences, a subsidiary of HBM Holdings Ltd (HKG: 2142), and Suzhou-based Medilink Therapeutics have jointly announced the licensing of their co-developed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), HBM9033 (YL215), to Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE: PFE) unit Seagen Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN). According to the agreement, Seagen will secure global clinical development and commercialization rights for HBM9033. In return, Nona/Medilink will receive USD 53 million in upfront and near-term payments, with the potential for an additional USD 1.05 billion in milestone payments and tiered royalties on future net sales.
HBM9033 is a promising best-in-class ADC that targets human mesothelin (MSLN), a protein expressed in mesothelial cells lining several body cavities. Over-expression of mesothelin has been identified in various tumor types, including mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and cholangiocarcinoma. The ADC recently obtained clinical trial approval in the United States in August of this year.- Flcube.com
