Eli Lilly and Innovent Biologics have deepened their ties with a new type of deal. China has indicted AstraZeneca and its former top exec in the country following investigations that emerged in 2024. Madrigal has signed a potential $4.4 billion siRNA deal with a Chinese biotech. And more.
1. Lilly, Innovent pen $8.8B oncology, immunology collab that 'moves beyond traditional licensing'
Eli Lilly has made a different kind of deal with its longtime Chinese partner Innovent Biologics. For $350 million upfront and up to $8.5 billion in milestone payments, Innovent will use its antibody platform to develop oncology and immunology programs for potential post-phase 2 adoption by Lilly outside greater China. The platform deal is different from traditional asset-specific licensing arrangements and forms a strategic partnership between the firms.
2. China indicts AstraZeneca and former exec Leon Wang over data, trade charges
China has officially indicted AstraZeneca and its former China head Leon Wang, plus another senior employee, over charges of unlawful collection of personal information and illegal trade, according to AZ. The two former execs also face additional charges of medical insurance fraud. Under the case, the company is accused of illegal importation of cancer drugs Imfinzi, Imjudo and Enhertu.
3. Madrigal pens $4.4B deal for Ribo's preclinical siRNA programs in latest Rezdiffra MASH play
Madrigal Pharmaceutical, looking to further consolidate its lead in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is paying $60 million upfront for six preclinical small interfering RNA programs from China’s Ribo Life Science and its subsidiary Ribocure Pharmaceuticals. The goal is to selectively reduce the production of disease-driving proteins in MASH through gene silencing.
4. Takeda inks $1.7B AI drug discovery deal with Iambic Therapeutics
Takeda has entered a multiyear partnership to use Iambic Therapeutics' artificial intelligence drug discovery platform, including a predictor of protein-ligand complexes called NeuralPLexer. The initial focus is oncology, gastrointestinal and inflammatory therapeutic areas. Iambic could receive milestones potentially worth more than $1.7 billion.
5. Takeda downsizes Boston footprint amid consolidation effort
Meanwhile, Takeda has put up more than 630,000 square feet of Boston office space for sublease as the company is on track to open its R&D facility in Kendall Square later this year. The company’s presence in the area will drop from 1.56 million square feet across seven buildings to 1.43 million square feet across four buildings.
Other News of Note:
6. Kailera, Hengrui tout up to 12% weight loss in midstage study for obesity pill
7. Roche settles Perjeta biosimilar suit with Organon, Henlius (Bloomberg)
9. Otsuka awareness campaign urges HCPs to see 'All of ADHD'
10. Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia to build $46M manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico