Innovent And Roche Partner On Novel DLL3 Antibody Drug Conjugate

Innovent Biologics, Inc., a global leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, has entered into a strategic collaboration and exclusive licensing agreement with Roche. This agreement further advances IBI3009, a promising antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting DLL3. This novel therapy is being developed to address critical unmet needs in treating advanced small-cell lung cancer. IBI3009 has already received IND approvals in Australia, China, and the U.S., with its Phase 1 clinical trial beginning in December 2024 after successfully dosing the first patient.

Dr. Samuel Zhang, Chief Business Officer of Innovent, said in a statement,  “We are delighted to once again enter a strategic collaboration with Roche, a global leader in oncology, to advance our potentially best-in-class DLL3 ADC candidate. By combining Roche's scientific expertise and global development capabilities with our innovative approach, we are taking a significant step forward in our mission—to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals.”

IBI3009 focuses on DLL3, an antigen found at low levels in healthy tissue but highly expressed in certain cancers, including small-cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine tumours. Built using Innovent’s proprietary topoisomerase 1  inhibitor (TOPO1i) platform, this ADC has shown remarkable anti-tumour activity in various chemo-resistant tumour models and boasts a strong safety profile. These qualities position IBI3009 as a potential best-in-class treatment option.

Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Corporate Business Development at Roche, commented, “We are excited to enter this partnership with the Innovent team to further develop this promising investigational treatment for patients with small cell lung cancer. This partnership builds on Roche’s long history of innovation in the area of ADCs to address the unmet needs of patients with solid tumours with transformational medicines.” 

Under the agreement, Roche will hold exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise IBI3009. Initially, both companies will collaborate on early-stage development, after which Roche will take full responsibility for developing the drug. Innovent will receive an upfront payment of $80 million, potentially earning up to $1 billion in additional milestone payments and tiered royalties from net sales.