I-Mab Inks $315 Million Pact with Jumpcan to Market Human Growth Hormone in China

Shanghai-based biopharma I-Mab has struck a $315 million deal with pediatric-focused Hubei Jumpcan Pharma to bring its recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) to market in China, the companies announced Wednesday.

The agreement will advance ongoing Phase 3 trials of eftansomatropin alfa, also known as TJ101, as a weekly treatment for pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD).

PGHD is a rare condition where the pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough growth hormone, hindering bone growth and causing slow gains in height. Left untreated, the child will not be able to reach their full adult height.

According to I-Mab, only 3.7% of children with PGHD receive growth hormone therapies, mostly given as daily injections. The company claims that TJ101, as a weekly alternative, will lead to better compliance.

I-Mab will retain rights to the product and will supply it to Jumpcan at an agreed cost. Meanwhile, Jumpcan will lead commercialization in mainland China, and will also work with I-Mab to develop new indications for the drug.

“Jumpcan is a leading player in pediatric therapeutics across China with a strong sales force covering more than 23,000 tiered hospitals in 30 provinces and cities,” said Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder, and Chairman of I-Mab.

“The strategic collaboration with Jumpcan is crucial for I-Mab as I believe the broad coverage and deep commercial experience of Jumpcan will accelerate the pre-launch and commercial launch readiness of eftansomatropin alfa to bring this differentiated therapy quickly to market and improve the lives of pediatric patients.”

Under the agreed terms, Jumpcan will pay I-Mab $35 million upfront and up to $280 million in milestone payments if development, regulatory, and sales goals are met. The companies will split the profits generated from sales of the drug in China 50:50, while I-Mab could receive “low double-digit royalties on net sales”.

Partnership with Sinopharm

Earlier in October, I-Mab tapped Sinopharm to become one of its commercial partners in China. While the collab was scant on details, I-Mab was said to have authorized 300 of Sinopharm’s subsidiaries to distribute and sell its products.

The first of I-Mab’s products that may reach Sinopharm and, by extension the Chinese market may be felzartamab, an anti-CD38 antibody. I-Mab is planning to submit a BLA for the drug as a third-line treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) later this year.

The company is positioning the drug as a second-line therapy for MM too, having recently completed enrollment in a Phase 3 trial for the drug in combination with lenalidomide.

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Joy Lin

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