SHENYANG, China, SHANGHAI, China, and WAEDENSWIL, Switzerland — December [12], 2019 — 3SBio Inc. (“3SBio”, HKEX:1530) and Numab Therapeutics (“Numab”) announced today on a collaboration agreement, pursuant to which Sunshine Guojian Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Sunshine Guojian”), a subsidiary of the Company, will develop and commercialize a portfolio of novel multi-specific antibodies for cancer therapy based on Numab’s technology platform. Under the agreement, Sunshine Guojian has the right to select up to five antibody molecules emerging from up to three multi-specific antibody programs based on Numab’s R&D platform and has the exclusive licenses to develop and commercialize each of the selected antibody molecules in Greater China territories, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, while Numab retains exclusive commercial rights in the rest of the world. Concurrently, Sunshine Guojian has invested CHF15M (approximately USD15.2M) in Numab’s series B financing. Dr. Zhenping Zhu, MD, PhD, President of Research and Development, Chief Scientific Officer of 3SBio, has joined the Numab’s board of directors. Further financial terms were not disclosed.
“Numab’s proprietary MATCH™ technology has generated a robust pipeline of multi-specific antibody drug candidates with its lead program ND021, an anti-4-1BB x PD-L1 x HSA tri-specific antibody, entering clinical trials in 2020. The alliance with Sunshine Guojian is a continuation of our strategy to work with committed, world-class partners in Asia that are ideally positioned to develop and commercialize our multi-specific antibodies in this important region. Our partnering model has allowed us to establish a growing pipeline of innovative drug candidates and retain key commercial rights in Europe and the US,” commented Dr. David Urech, Chief Executive Officer of Numab. “Sunshine Guojian’s investment in our Series B will support Numab in the further expansion and advancement of our portfolio of multi-specific antibodies.”
“The investment and collaboration with Numab are consistent with our goal to explore promising therapeutic strategies that address the significant unmet medical needs of cancer patients in China,” said Dr. Jing Lou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 3SBio, “Accessing Numab’s cuttingedge multi-specific antibody technology platform and its product portfolio in immune-oncology complements our existing R&D establishment and strategy. 3SBio regards innovation in research and development as a main pillar of the enterprise and we are looking forward to collaborating with the Numab team.”
Multi-specific antibodies have the potential to unlock entirely novel modes-of-action aiming at superior benefit-to-risk profiles relative to conventional cancer immune therapies. Numab’s proprietary MATCH™ technology platform represents one of the most versatile and flexible sources for multi-specific antibodies. MATCH™ molecules can incorporate up to six binding specificities in true plug-and-play fashion. The individual antibody Fv building blocks are designed for maximum stability and developability.
About Sunshine Guojian
Sunshine Guojian was established in 2002 and is one of the first batch of innovative biopharmaceutical companies focusing on antibody drugs in China. It is a domestic pharmaceutical company that has two launched therapeutic antibody drugs, and had emerged as a leader in antibody drug with its capabilities of independent R&D, manufacturing and commercialization in China. Sunshine Guojian orients its R&D efforts primarily towards innovative therapeutic antibody drugs, and provides quality, safe and effective clinical solutions to the therapeutic areas of major diseases such as auto-immune diseases and tumors. Currently, Sunshine Guojian has 15 anti-body drug candidates (including 7 drug candidates in clinical and new drug registration stage and 8 drug candidates in pre-clinical stage) which are under different development stages, targeting tumor, auto-immune diseases and ophthalmological diseases. Most of those drug candidates are Category I biological products for therapeutic use or monoclonal antibodies, 2 of which are in application for launching, and 5 are in clinical stage. Sunshine Guojian may submit applications to both the National Medical Products Administration and the US Food and Drug Administration for some of those drug candidates, or some may be admitted for priority evaluation. Please visit www.ynzqzl.com for additional information.
About 3SBio
3SBio is a fully integrated biotechnology company in China with market-leading biopharmaceutical franchises in oncology, auto-immune diseases, nephrology, metabolic diseases and dermatology. 3SBio is focusing on building an innovative product pipeline, currently with over 30 product candidates under development. 3SBio’s manufacturing capabilities include recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies and chemically synthesized molecules, with research and production centers in Shenyang, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Como, Italy. Please visit www.3sbio.com for additional information.
About Numab Therapeutics
Numab Therapeutics is an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company based in Zurich-area, Switzerland. Numab is writing the next chapter in cancer immunotherapy by creating multi-specific antibodies that enable the pursuit of novel therapeutic strategies. With the proprietary MATCH™ technology platform, Numab is fueling a new wave of multi-specific drug candidates engineered with versatility and developability in mind. Numab’s lead product was designed to balance potent anti-tumor immunity with a desirable safety profile by targeting 4-1BB, PD-L1 and Human Serum Albumin simultaneously. Numab believes meeting the highest quality standards in every step of the drug design process matters and will result in better patient outcomes. For further information, visit www.numab.com.
Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as those relating to business or products outlook, or Company's intent, plans, beliefs, expectation, or strategies. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are stated herein on the basis of the outlook at the time of this release. They are based on certain expectations, assumptions and premises, some of which are subjective or beyond our control. These forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect or may not be realised in future. With respect to any new product or new indication, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully develop or eventually launch and market such product or indication.
Underlying the forward-looking statements is a large number of risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our other public disclosure documents.
Any scientific information discussed may be only preliminary and investigative.
Shareholders and potential investors of the Company are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the Company.
Contacts:
For Numab Therapeutics
David Urech
Chief Executive Officer
d.urech@numab.com
For media
MacDougall
Sara Michelmore or Caroline Rufo, PhD.
+1 781-235-3060
numab@macbiocom.com
For 3SBio and Sunshine Guojian
Zhang Hui
+86 21 50791207
Steven.zhang@3sbio.com