US-based Syneos Health (Nasdaq: SYNH) has revealed a strategic partnership with Fosun Pharma USA Inc., a subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd (HKG: 2196, SHA: 600196), focused on the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor serplulimab. Syneos will provide full commercial support in the United States for serplulimab’s development as a treatment for extensive small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
Syneos’ Role and Services
Syneos Health offers a comprehensive range of services to the biopharma industry, including contract research organization (CRO), medical affairs, commercial support, and post-market consulting. For serplulimab, Syneos will provide medical affairs, market access, marketing, sales, and operational capabilities, aiming to make Fosun’s products available to US patients. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.
Serplulimab’s Development and Clinical Progress
Serplulimab was developed in-house by Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. (HKG: 2696) and licensed to Fosun in a December 2022 deal worth up to USD 840 million. Henlius and Fosun are conducting an ambitious development program for the PD-1 inhibitor, which includes a bridging study for the US market. In November 2022, Henlius announced the completion of enrollment for 200 patients in a head-to-head study comparing serplulimab to Roche’s PD-L1 inhibitor Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as a first-line treatment for ES-SCLC. Other indications under development in the US include limited-stage small-cell lung cancer and Stage III/IV non-small cell lung cancer, according to clinicaltrials.gov.
Future Outlook and Partnership Expansion
The partnership between Syneos Health and Fosun Pharma aims to accelerate the commercialization of serplulimab in the US market. Syneos’ extensive experience in biopharma services and Fosun’s innovative pipeline position the collaboration to address significant unmet needs in oncology. As Fosun continues to introduce its novel therapies into the US, the partnership is expected to expand further, enhancing the availability of cutting-edge treatments for US patients.-Fineline Info & Tech
