Innovent inks deal with Xuanzhu for Tyvyt combo trial

Chinese biopharma Innovent Biologics (HKEX: 01801) and Xuanzhu Biopharma have entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply accord for the combination therapies of Tyvyt (sintilimab) injection with KM-501, a novel HER-2 bispecific ADC, as potential treatment options for advanced solid tumors in China.

The agreement will see Innovent supply sintilimab for the collaborated clinical trial. Xuanzhu Biopharma, a subsidiary of Xuanzhu Biopharmaceutical, will conduct a Phase Ib clinical study to evaluate the anti-tumor activity and safety of the combination therapy of sintilimab with KM-501 in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors. Innovent’s shares gained 2.5% to HK$41.55 on the news.

Tyvyt, which is licensed to US pharma major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) for geographies outside of China, is an innovative PD-1 inhibitor that has been approved and included in the national reimbursement drug list (NRDL) for seven indications. It is also the only PD-1 inhibitor for the first-line treatment of five high-incidence cancer types in the NRDL.