Roche acquires Chinese antibody-drug conjugate rights for $500m

Roche: half a billion for rights to Chinese antibody-drug conjugates Keystone-SDA

The Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has acquired the rights to a portfolio of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) developed by its Chinese competitor Hansoh Pharma, for $510 million (CHF420 million).

The transaction consists of an initial instalment of $400 million, to be paid upon signing the contract, and a second instalment of $110 million, to be paid one year later.

The contract also provides for funding of $15 billion, subject to the achievement of development, regulatory or even commercial milestones, as well as commissions of an unspecified amount on any revenue, the Shanghai-based group stated in a press release issued today.

ADCs, or antibody-drug conjugates, are preparations that combine, amongst other things, an antibody and a chemotherapeutic molecule. Their purpose is to combat tumours.

Hansoh will retain control over the early stages of development, up to the completion of the first clinical phase. Roche will then take over on a global basis, with the exception of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Roche first entered Hansoh’s business exactly one year ago, acquiring the rights to the drug HS-20110 for an initial payment of $80 million, which at the time was the subject of a Phase I clinical trial in China and the United States for colorectal cancer and other cancers.

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Translated from Italian, reviewed by an English Department journalist. 

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