Breakthrough Collaboration: Johnson Pharmaceuticals and GSK Join Forces to Advance ADC Therapy HS-20093

Johnson Pharmaceuticals Group Limited and GlaxoSmithKline (LSE/NYSE: GSK) have announced a groundbreaking collaboration, signing an exclusive licensing agreement for Johnson Pharmaceuticals' ADC (Antibody-Drug Conjugate) therapy, HS-20093. Under the agreement, Johnson Pharmaceuticals grants GSK global exclusive rights for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of HS-20093, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. This collaboration builds upon a previous strategic partnership between the two companies for another ADC therapy, HS-20089, primarily focused on the potential treatment of gynecological cancers such as ovarian and endometrial cancer.

HS-20093 is a novel B7-H3 targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a fully humanized B7-H3 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to a topoisomerase inhibitor (TOPOi) payload. Currently, it is undergoing Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in China for the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, head and neck cancer, and other solid tumors.

Data from the ARTEMIS-001 Phase I clinical trial (NCT05276609) evaluating HS-20093 in advanced solid tumors were presented at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The results demonstrated preliminary clinical efficacy of HS-20093 in small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and sarcoma, with several confirmed disease responses and manageable safety profiles.

According to the agreement, Johnson Pharmaceuticals will receive an upfront payment of $185 million and is eligible for up to $1.525 billion in milestone payments. Additionally, GSK will pay tiered royalties on net sales outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan upon commercialization. GSK plans to initiate Phase I clinical trials for HS-20093 outside China in 2024.

About HS-20093:
HS-20093 is a novel B7-H3 targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a fully humanized B7-H3 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to a topoisomerase inhibitor (TOPOi) payload. It is currently undergoing Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in China for the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, head and neck cancer, and other solid tumors.

The collaboration between Johnson Pharmaceuticals and GSK marks a significant advancement in the field of ADC therapies, with the licensing agreement for HS-20093. By harnessing the potential of B7-H3 targeting and ADC technology, HS-20093 has shown promising clinical efficacy and safety profiles in various solid tumors. This partnership exemplifies the commitment of both companies to bring innovative treatments to patients worldwide. The future development and commercialization of HS-20093 hold great promise in addressing unmet medical needs and improving outcomes for cancer patients.