Core Viewpoint - Lepu Biopharma-B (02157) has regained market attention due to significant progress in its ADC pipeline, leading to a stock price increase of nearly 78% year-to-date, despite a previous decline since its IPO in 2022 [1][18]. Group 1: Company Overview - Lepu Biopharma was established in 2018 and has built its pipeline through acquisitions and partnerships, including PD-1 antibodies and ADC drugs [1]. - The company focuses on integrating PD-1 as a cornerstone for cancer treatment while developing ADCs and other therapies for enhanced clinical outcomes [1][12]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2024, Lepu Biopharma is projected to achieve revenue of 368 million RMB, a year-on-year increase of 63.21%, driven by the commercialization of PD-1 [4]. - Despite revenue growth, the company reported a loss of 424 million RMB in the same year, with cash reserves remaining stable at 401 million RMB [4]. Group 3: Pipeline Development - The core drug in Lepu's pipeline is MRG003, an EGFR-targeting ADC, which has shown promising results in clinical trials for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [4][10]. - MRG003 has received breakthrough therapy designation from both the CDE and FDA, indicating its potential in treating difficult-to-manage cancers [10]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The global market for EGFR-targeting ADCs is competitive, with several companies, including Rakuten Medical and Systimmune, also developing similar therapies [6][7]. - Lepu's MRG003 has demonstrated superior efficacy compared to existing treatments, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 47.4% in NPC patients, significantly higher than the typical 20-30% ORR for second-line therapies [7][10]. Group 5: Future Prospects - The company is actively exploring combination therapies, such as MRG003 with PD-1, which has shown an ORR of 66.7% in early trials [12]. - Lepu is also advancing its CG0070 oncolytic virus therapy, which has shown promising results in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and has received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA [14][15]. Group 6: Challenges Ahead - Despite the positive developments, Lepu Biopharma's reliance on external acquisitions for its pipeline raises questions about its internal R&D capabilities [18]. - The company faces challenges related to ongoing losses and the need for substantial funding to support its numerous clinical trials [18].