Weekly in Asia｜Nov

（20191027-1102）

Amgen Purchases 20.5% stake in Chinese biotech BeiGene for USD $2.7 billion

American leading multinational biopharmaceutical company Amgen and BeiGene, a Chinese immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company, announced on Oct. 31 that the two companies have entered into a strategic collaboration to accelerate Amgen’s expansion in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market, the China market.

As part of the collaboration, Amgen will acquire a 20.5% stake in BeiGene for approximately USD $2.7 billion. BeiGene will commercialize XGEVA® (denosumab), KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib) and BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) in China. XGEVA was launched in China in September 2019; KYPROLIS and BLINCYTO are both in Phase 3 trials in China. The two parties will equally share profits and losses.

XGEVA® (denosumab) is a monoclonal antibody drug that inhibits Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), a gene related to immune system and bone regeneration and remodeling.

 

KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib) is an anti-cancer drug acting as a selective proteasome inhibitor, and is a treatment option for people who have already received one or more previous treatments for relapsed multiple myeloma.

 

BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) is a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody used as a second-line treatment for Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

About Amgen

Amgen is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets medicines. The Company focuses on human therapeutics and innovates novel medicines.

About BeiGene

BeiGene is a research-based, oncology-focused biotechnology company that features a 700-person commercial organization and a 600-person clinical development organization.

Pandion and Astellas Announce Collaboration On Immunomodulators for Diabetes and Pancreas

Pandion Therapeutics, Inc., a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, and Astellas Pharma Inc., a Japanese pharmaceutical company formed in 2005, announced on October 31 the signing of a License and Collaboration Agreement toward the research, development, and commercialization of immunomodulators for autoimmune diseases of the pancreas. The collaboration will integrate Pandion’s modular biologics and functional immunology expertise with Astellas’ advanced therapeutics development and global commercialization capabilities for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pandion will be responsible for design and discovery of bispecific drug candidates. Astellas will be responsible for conducting preclinical, clinical and commercialization activities for the selected candidates.

About Pandion Therapeutics

Pandion Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops bispecific antibody therapeutics for durable, tissue-specific treatment of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disease and organ transplants.

About Astellas Pharma

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a Japanese pharmaceutical company formed in 2005 from the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Qpex and Brii Enter Into a Strategic Collaboration to Fight Drug-Resistance in China

Qpex Biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative anti-infective therapies, on October 22 announced that it has entered into a multi-product collaboration with Brii Biosciences, to develop and commercialize best-in-class therapies to treat a range of multi-drug resistant gram-negative infections in China.

Under the terms of the agreement, Brii Biosciences will obtain a license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the portfolio in greater China. Brii Biosciences will make an upfront payment, as well as development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and share in the costs of a global development program. Qpex Biopharma will also receive tiered royalties on sales in the Brii Bio territory.

About Qpex Biopharma

Qpex Biopharma is a San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the on development of new antibiotics to fight the threat of global antimicrobial resistance.

About Brii Biosciences

With operations in China and the United States, Brii Biosciences is developing treatments for illnesses with significant public health burdens, including infectious diseases, liver diseases, and other illnesses.

Huakang Signs MOU with a World Leading Fertility Group to Develop Assisted Reproductive Treatment in China

The prevalence of infertility in China is increasing year by year. The supply chain of the assisted reproductive treatment (ART) market is now prospering.

Huakang Biomedical Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Huakang Biomedical Holdings Company Limited, announced on October 31 that the Company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Joint Venture Company in Hong Kong for the research, development and registration of technology, devices and products for ART; and the sale and export of devices and products in China, as well as countries in Asia Pacific Region and other territories.

About Huakang Biomedical Company Limited

China-based Huakang Biomedical Holdings Company Limited manufactures s male fertility in vitro diagnostic, parasite antibody detection, and antibody detection reagents, as well as auxiliary reproductive supplies and equipment.

About Joint Venture Partner Group

Australia-based Joint Venture Partner Group is one of country’s’ leading fertility groups offering fully integrated assisted reproductive treatment and clinical services as well as devices and products applied with technologies in assisted reproduction treatment.

Chugai’s Hemlibra Approved for Hemophilia A in Taiwan

Chugai Pharmaceutical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chugai, announced on October 30 that the Company received approval from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) for Hemlibra®, to prevent or reduce the frequent bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients with hemophilia A, with indication expanding to cover patients without factor VIII inhibitors.

Hemlibra®, a bispecific monoclonal antibody developed by Chugai pharma’s proprietary antibody engineering technologies, has been approved in more than 90 countries, and was approved by the U.S. FDA in November 2017.

About Chugai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a drug manufacturer operating in Japan, manufactures and sells pharmaceuticals products in the fields of cancer, infectious diseases, bone, blood, and circulatory systems.

References

1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amgen-beigene/amgen-to-take-20-5-stake-in-beigene-to-expand-in-china-idUSKBN1XA2KA
2. https://www.astellas.com/en/news/15396
3. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/qpex-biopharma-brii-biosciences-enter-120000451.html
4. https://money.udn.com/money/story/9529/4135472
5. https://news.sina.com.tw/article/20191031/33155554.html

Author

GeneOnline