Chinese pharma giants Innovent Biologics and Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences join forces for advanced colorectal cancer drug trial

Innovent Biologics and Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences have entered into a major collaboration to assess the potential of a combination therapy for advanced colorectal cancer. The combination will include Innovent’s Tyvyt (sintilimab injection), a PD-1 monoclonal antibody, alongside IBI305, a proposed biosimilar to Roche’s bevacizumab. These two drugs will be evaluated alongside Chidamide, an epigenetic modulator developed by Chipscreen Biosciences. The aim is to explore the potential of this tripartite therapy in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Combining Tyvyt, IBI305, and Chidamide for colorectal cancer treatment

Under the terms of the agreement, Tyvyt—a fully human anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, thus boosting the immune system’s ability to fight cancer—will be tested in combination with IBI305, a humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody designed to inhibit blood vessel formation in tumors. The third agent, Chidamide, is an epigenetic modulator that selectively inhibits certain histone deacetylases (HDACs), a class of enzymes that can alter gene expression in cancer cells, potentially reducing their ability to resist therapy.

The trial will specifically evaluate the combination’s efficacy and safety in advanced colorectal cancer, an area where treatment options remain limited.

Expert perspectives on the collaboration

Dr. Kerry Blanchard, Chief Scientific Officer of Innovent Biologics, emphasized the importance of addressing epigenetic aberrations, which are thought to contribute significantly to immune therapy resistance. He remarked that Chidamide, a novel drug discovered in China, has shown promise in reversing this resistance in early studies. Dr. Blanchard expressed his optimism that this collaboration will provide much-needed therapeutic solutions for patients suffering from advanced colorectal cancer.

Dr. Zhiqiang Ning, Executive Vice President of Chipscreen Biosciences, highlighted the unmet medical need in treating advanced colorectal cancer. He stressed that combining different targeted therapies could offer a new treatment avenue for these patients, who often face limited options.

What’s next for Innovent and Chipscreen?

As part of their collaboration, Innovent and Chipscreen will conduct joint clinical trials in China, focusing on the safety, tolerability, and potential effectiveness of this combination therapy in colorectal cancer. The companies are hopeful that their research will pave the way for a new treatment protocol in one of the most challenging cancer indications.