Chinese biopharmaceutical company Innovent Biologics Inc (HKEX: 01801) announced on Monday that it has partnered with Jiangsu Aosaikang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ASK Pharm) (002755.SZ), a research-based pharmaceutical company in China.

Under the collaboration, Innovent will receive the exclusive commercialisation rights for limertinib in mainland China, and will be entitled to receive a commercialisation service fee based on the product's net sales in the region. As the marketing authorisation holder, ASK Pharm will manage the production and commercial supply of limertinib and will qualify for upfront, regulatory and sales milestone payments.

Limertinib is an orally administered, third-generation novel EGFR TKI with proprietary rights. Two New Drug Applications (NDAs) for the product have been accepted and are under review by China's National Drug Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), confirmed by a validated diagnostic test, whose disease has progressed after EGFR TKI therapy; and for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations.

Dr. Michael Yu, Innovent's founder, chairman and CEO, said: "We are delighted to enter this strategic collaboration with ASK Pharm, one of the most innovative biopharmaceutical companies in China, which will further strengthen Innovent's leadership in oncology. Together with our partners, Innovent has successfully developed a series of high-quality innovative medicines for lung cancer treatments, including TYVYT (sintilimab Injection), BYVASDA (bevacizumab Injection), Retsevmo (selpercatinib), Dupert (fulzerasib) and Taletrectinib (ROS1 Inhibitor, NDA under review). The addition of limertinib will offer a valuable new treatment option for Chinese patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Innovent remains committed to investing in innovation and collaborative partnerships, aiming to enhancing the accessibility and affordability of innovative therapies in China to benefit even more patients."