China-based biopharmaceutical company I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) has received a notice from US-based AbbVie Global Enterprises Ltd, announcing the termination of their license and collaboration agreement concerning CD47 antibody compounds and products. The agreement, initially signed on September 3, 2020, and amended on August 15, 2022, will officially end on November 20, 2023. As a result, I-Mab will regain full global rights to develop and commercialize certain CD47 compounds and products, including lemzoparlimab, with the USD 200 million in upfront and milestone payments from AbbVie remaining unaffected.
Background on the Collaboration and Termination
The original deal in September 2020 granted AbbVie development and commercialization rights to lemzoparlimab in Greater China, with an upfront payment of USD 180 million and a Phase I data-based milestone payment of USD 20 million to I-Mab, along with other potential milestone payments totaling USD 1.74 billion. The termination follows a strategic decision by AbbVie and is not tied to any specific safety concerns, as stated by the companies.
Clinical Study and Future Developments
In August 2022, the two companies halted a Phase Ib clinical study for lemzoparlimab combined with azacitidine and venetoclax in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). Despite this, they agreed to continue collaborating on the global development of CD47 antibodies, with AbbVie having already paid significant milestone payments.
CD47 as a Therapeutic Target and Lemzoparlimab’s Potential
Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD-47) is a transmembrane protein that sends a “don’t eat me” signal to macrophages, making it a popular therapeutic target for certain cancers. Lemzoparlimab, a novel CD47 antibody, effectively targets tumor cells while minimizing adverse effects on red blood cells, thus avoiding severe anemia. It is currently undergoing a Phase III clinical study in high-risk MDS combined with azacitidine, indicating its potential in advancing cancer treatments.-Fineline Info & Tech
