CStone Pharmaceuticals partners with SteinCares to expand cancer treatment in Latin America

CStone Pharmaceuticals, a leading biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative cancer therapies, has entered a landmark partnership with SteinCares, a Latin American pharmaceutical leader. This collaboration is poised to bring sugemalimab, CStone’s novel anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, to 10 key countries in Latin America (LATAM), significantly expanding access to cutting-edge cancer treatments.

Under the agreement, SteinCares will handle regulatory and commercialization efforts across Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The partnership marks another milestone in CStone’s global strategy to broaden sugemalimab’s availability while addressing the growing demand for innovative oncology solutions in underserved regions.

How does this partnership benefit cancer patients in Latin America?

The agreement with SteinCares underscores CStone’s commitment to improving access to life-saving treatments worldwide. The LATAM region, which has faced challenges in obtaining advanced cancer therapies, will now benefit from sugemalimab’s unique attributes.

Dr. Jason Yang, CEO of CStone Pharmaceuticals, noted, “This collaboration represents a pivotal step in our mission to make innovative therapies available to patients globally. Sugemalimab, the first anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody approved for first-line treatment of Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Europe and the UK, has demonstrated its potential to transform cancer care. SteinCares’ robust distribution network will ensure that more LATAM patients can benefit from this groundbreaking treatment.”

Why Sugemalimab is a game-changer in cancer therapy

Sugemalimab, developed using the OmniRat® transgenic platform, is a fully human, full-length IgG4 monoclonal antibody. Its design minimizes the risk of immunogenicity and toxicity while providing a dual mechanism of action. In addition to blocking PD-1/PD-L1 interactions, it induces antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), enhancing its efficacy.

This molecular differentiation has led to its approval for a wide range of indications, including:

• First-line treatment of metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC.
• Treatment of refractory extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma.
• Combination therapies for advanced gastric and gastroesophageal cancers.

The drug has also received European Commission approval under the brand name Cejemly® for use with platinum-based chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC patients without certain genetic mutations. This regulatory endorsement reinforces its clinical value and global applicability.

Expanding Sugemalimab’s global reach

CStone’s partnership with SteinCares is the latest in a series of global commercialization efforts. The company has already secured approvals and partnerships across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and is actively pursuing opportunities in Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and Canada.

“This agreement is a testament to our strategic vision for global expansion,” Dr. Yang added. “By collaborating with trusted regional leaders like SteinCares, we can unlock sugemalimab’s full therapeutic potential and deliver impactful solutions to patients worldwide.”

SteinCares, known for its extensive experience in commercializing complex pharmaceuticals across LATAM, shares a similar commitment. Mitchell Waserstein, CEO of SteinCares, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “At SteinCares, our goal is to provide safe, affordable, and innovative therapies to underserved populations. Sugemalimab aligns perfectly with this mission, and we are proud to bring this advanced treatment to patients across Latin America.”

Addressing unmet medical needs in LATAM

Latin America faces significant challenges in addressing the rising burden of cancer, including disparities in access to advanced treatments and diagnostics. The availability of sugemalimab could be transformative, particularly for patients with NSCLC and other aggressive cancers.

Expert oncologists highlight the importance of introducing novel therapies like sugemalimab in regions where cancer outcomes often lag behind due to limited access to targeted treatments. As Dr. Yang emphasized, “The therapeutic potential of sugemalimab has been demonstrated across a variety of tumor types, making it a valuable addition to LATAM’s oncology landscape.”

The path forward

With a robust pipeline of 17 promising candidates and partnerships with key global players, CStone Pharmaceuticals continues to position itself as a leader in the oncology space. The company’s strategy of forging alliances with established regional partners ensures that innovative therapies reach patients in need, driving forward its mission to address unmet medical needs on a global scale.

For SteinCares, the partnership with CStone further solidifies its reputation as a bridge between global pharmaceutical innovations and local healthcare providers. By leveraging its distribution network and regulatory expertise, SteinCares is well-equipped to maximize the impact of sugemalimab across LATAM.