BRIEF—Collaboration between Adlai Nortye and Eisai to develop novel I-O candidate

Eisai has agreed an extensive licensing agreement with China’s Adlai Nortye Biopharma related to immuno-oncology candidate E7046.

Adlai gains exclusive rights to research, develop, manufacture and market E7046, a type EP4 receptor antagonist, in all regions outside of Japan and parts of Asia (excluding China).

Eisai receives a one-time payment plus milestones and royalties, details of which were not disclosed.

The companies believe the candidate could suppress the antitumor activity of immune cells via a different mechanism to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

The candidate is in Phase I and Phase Ib testing.