Innovent Biologics, IASO Bio strengthen collaboration with equity investment and licensing deal

Innovent Biologics, Inc. (HKEX: 01801), a globally recognized biopharmaceutical company, and IASO Biotechnology, a leader in innovative cell therapies and antibody products, have announced a significant enhancement in their partnership. This collaboration includes IASO Bio’s acquisition of certain rights to FUCASO (Equecabtagene Autoleucel) from Innovent, along with a license for the associated intellectual property, coupled with an equity investment by Innovent in IASO Bio.

Under the terms of the newly established strategic cooperation, IASO Bio will obtain global commercial rights and the intellectual property license for FUCASO, taking full responsibility for the product’s development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Concurrently, Innovent will invest in an 18% stake in IASO Bio, thereby becoming a strategic shareholder and further solidifying the partnership between the two companies in the realm of cellular immunotherapy.

FUCASO® represents a significant advancement in the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), having been the first fully human CAR-T product and the first BCMA CAR-T product approved in China. Since its initial approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) on June 30, 2023, FUCASO has expanded its potential applications. It received an investigational new drug (IND) application for treating RRMM patients with 1-2 prior lines of therapy on March 28, 2024, and has also seen IND approvals in China and the United States for treating autoimmune diseases such as refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).

Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Innovent, expressed his enthusiasm about the deepened cooperation: “We appreciate IASO Bio for their expertise, innovation, and strong execution capability in the field of cell therapy. This new collaboration model will better leverage our mutual strengths and resources, focusing on the full chain of manufacturing, development, and commercial operation of CAR-T cell therapy.”

Ms. Zhang Jinhua, Founder, Chairwoman, and CEO of IASO Bio, also highlighted the mutual benefits of the alliance, stating, “Over the past six years, we have built a solid partnership with Innovent and witnessed each other’s innovation and growth in the biopharmaceutical field. This new strategic alliance will bring significant synergistic effects to both parties, advancing innovative therapeutic solutions.”

This strategic partnership not only reinforces the commitment of both companies to pioneering healthcare solutions but also ensures the continued growth and development of effective treatments for patients worldwide.