Pfizer gains rights to 3SBio’s
Pfizer gains rights to 3SBio’s investigational bispecific antibody in deal worth over $6bn
Pfizer will be gaining exclusive rights to 3SBio’s investigational PD-1 and VEGF-targeted bispecific antibody in a deal worth over $6bn. The candidate, SSGJ-707, is currently being evaluated in several clinical trials in China as a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and gynaecological tumours.
The drug has already demonstrated initial efficacy and safety data in a “promising class” of cancer medicines, Pfizer said, adding that 3SBio is planning to launch the first phase 3 study of the asset in China this year.
The agreement will see 3SBio and its subsidiaries Shenyang Sunshine Pharmaceutical and 3S Guojian Pharmaceutical grant Pfizer an exclusive licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise SSGJ-707 everywhere except China. The drugmaker will also be given the option of commercialisation rights in China.
In exchange, 3SBio will receive $1.25bn upfront from Pfizer and will be eligible for certain development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $4.8bn, as well as tiered double-digit royalties on potential future sales of SSGJ-707.
Pfizer is also set to make a $100m equity investment in 3SBio when the transaction closes, expected in the third quarter of this year.
SSGJ-707 is not the first PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody that Pfizer has taken an interest in this year, after the company partnered with Summit Therapeutics on a clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with its antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
The goal of the collaboration, announced in February, is to assess investigational ivonescimab alongside several of Pfizer’s ADCs across multiple solid tumour settings.
“Together, we are advancing the exploration of our ADCs in rational, differentiated combinations with a bispecific antibody designed to address the unique complexities of tumour biology,” Megan O’Meara, head, oncology early stage development, Pfizer, said at the time of the announcement.
“This collaboration represents the next wave of investigational targeted combinations with the potential to transform treatment options for people living with cancer,” she added.
