China-based Akeso Biopharma (HKG: 9926) has announced a strategic collaboration agreement with compatriot firm Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd (SHA: 601607). The partnership aims to accelerate the development of Akeso’s cadonilimab (AK104) in combination with Shanghai Pharmaceuticals’ SPH4336 for the treatment of well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS) and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS).
About Cadonilimab (AK104)
Cadonilimab is an innovative bispecific antibody (BsAb) targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). It was first conditionally approved in China in June 2022 for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who had previously failed platinum-based chemotherapy. This global first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 BsAb is currently undergoing multiple clinical studies in adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other indications.
About SPH4336
SPH4336 is an in-house developed oral CDK4/6 inhibitor with broad-spectrum anti-tumor activities. Preclinical studies have shown a significant anti-tumor effect in mouse transplanted tumor models of human liposarcoma. The drug has previously received approval for a Phase II study in liposarcoma in the US and has completed a Phase I clinical study in advanced solid tumors in China, demonstrating a good efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics profile. SPH4336 is now on the verge of initiating a Phase Ib/IIa clinical study in liposarcoma in China.-Fineline Info & Tech
