The latest healthcare and life sciences news from China, including Eisai’s USD 2 billion oncology deal with Bliss Biopharma; Hasten Biopharmaceutic acquisition of commercial rights in China for Rocephin from Roche and CytoNiche Biotechnology’s new R&D centre.
COVID global emergency over but risks remain, says China health official (Reuters)
While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an end to the global emergency status for COVID-19, the virus remains harmful and China will continue to monitor it while increasing vaccinations among high-risk groups, a top Chinese health official said.
Acorda and Chance sign deals to commercialise INBRIJA in China (Pharmaceutical Technology)
Acorda Therapeutics has signed distribution and supply deals with Hangzhou Chance Pharmaceuticals for the delivery of INBRIJA in China. INBRIJA is currently indicated in the US for use in the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who received a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor.
Japan’s Eisai inks $2 B oncology deal with China-based startup Bliss Biopharma (BioSpectrum Asia)
Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai Co. has entered into a joint development agreement with China-based startup Bliss Biopharmaceutical (Hangzhou) for BB-1701, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with option rights for a strategic collaboration. If all development, regulatory and sales milestones are achieved, up to a total of $2 billion will be paid in this oncology deal.
Hasten Biopharma acquires commercial rights in China for Roche’s antibiotic Rocephin (BioSpectrum Asia)
Hasten Biopharmaceutic has acquired the commercial rights in China for Rocephin, a long-acting, broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, from Swiss multinational healthcare company, Roche. Following the closing of the transaction earlier this year, there will be a transition period between Hasten and Roche.
Cytoniche Biotechnology opens Center of Excellence in China (BioSpectrum Asia)
CytoNiche Biotechnology, a biotechnology company with a cutting-edge of 3D dissolvable porous microcarriers, has officially launched Center of Excellence (CoE) – a state-of-the-art research and development facility, located at Shanghai Fengxian District Lingang Nanqiao Science and Technology Park.
Roche hands Chinese biotech $70M for HER2 drug that can go to the brain (Endpoints)
Roche is still hunting for next-generation drugs that can hit HER2-positive cancer, and it’s found a Phase I candidate it likes from a Chinese biotech. The Swiss pharma giant will pay Zion Pharma $70 million in upfront and near-term milestones to get its hands on an oral HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
