Junshi Biosciences Announces Strategic Collaboration with Antengene to Evaluate Combination Therapy with JS207 (PD-1/VEGF BsAb) and ATG-037 (Oral CD73 Inhibitor)

Core Viewpoint - Junshi Biosciences has entered a strategic collaboration with Antengene Corporation to evaluate the therapeutic potential of their respective drug candidates, JS207 and ATG-037, in treating solid tumors in the Chinese Mainland [1] Group 1: Junshi Biosciences and JS207 - JS207 is a recombinant humanized anti-PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody that has shown promising anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile in preclinical and clinical studies [2] - In a clinical study, JS207 monotherapy achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 58.1% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 87.1% in patients with PD-L1 positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [3] - Currently, there are 11 ongoing phase 2 clinical studies for JS207, with nearly 500 patients enrolled, exploring its use in various cancers [4] - The FDA has approved an investigational new drug (IND) application for JS207, allowing a Phase 2/3 clinical study comparing it to nivolumab for neoadjuvant treatment of stage 2/3 NSCLC [4] Group 2: Antengene and ATG-037 - ATG-037 is an orally administered small-molecule CD73 inhibitor that has shown stronger inhibition of CD73 enzymatic activity compared to antibody-based approaches [5] - In clinical studies, ATG-037 demonstrated an ORR of 33.3% and a DCR of 100% in patients with checkpoint inhibitor-resistant melanoma, and an ORR of 21.4% with a DCR of 71.4% in patients with CPI-resistant NSCLC [6] - ATG-037 has a favorable safety profile, with only 7.9% of patients experiencing grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events [6] Group 3: Scientific Rationale for Collaboration - The collaboration is based on the complementary mechanisms of CD73 inhibition and dual PD-1/VEGF targeting, which may enhance anti-tumor immune responses and overcome resistance to therapies [7][8] - Combining CD73 blockade with PD-1/VEGF-directed approaches could improve therapeutic effects across multiple tumor types, potentially leading to better overall survival [8] Group 4: Company Overview - Junshi Biosciences, founded in December 2012, focuses on the discovery and commercialization of innovative therapeutics, with a diverse R&D pipeline of over 50 drug candidates [13] - The company has received approvals for five products in China and international markets, including toripalimab, China's first domestically produced anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody [13]