Glenmark in pact with Chinese company to develop cancer drug

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals S.A. and China’s Harbour BioMed have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the Greater China territory to develop, manufacture and commercialise GBR 1302, Glenmark’s bispecific antibody targeting HER2 and CD3 for the treatment of HER2-positive cancers.

GBR 1302, Glenmark’s lead immuno-oncology candidate, works by stimulating the patient’s immune system against HER2 over-expressing tumour cells. It is currently in a first-in-human study to determine maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Enrolment for clinical study is currently going on in the US and Germany.

As per the agreement, Glenmark will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive payments for achieving pre-specified development, regulatory and commercialisation milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales for any approved products from Harbour BioMed. The agreement is potentially worth more than $120-mn in addition to royalties for Glenmark. Harbour BioMed will lead the clinical development and commercialisation of GBR 1302, with the option to manufacture it for the Greater China market. The companies will collaborate on the generation of clinical data to support the registration of GBR 1302 in HER2-positive indications in their respective territories.