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  • Innovent Biologics Announces Global Strategic Partnership with Takeda to Bring Innovent’s Next Gen IO Backbone Therapy and ADC Molecules to the Global Market

    • The collaboration combines Innovent’s proven immuno-oncology (“IO”) and antibody-drug conjugate (“ADC”) R&D capability and Takeda’s experience in global oncology drug development to accelerate Innovent’s two late-stage investigational medicines worldwide, and Takeda receives an option for an early-stage program.
    • Innovent and Takeda will co-develop the IO backbone therapy IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2α-bias) globally and co-commercialize it in the U.S., where Takeda will lead the co-development and co-commercialization efforts under joint governance and aligned development plan; Takeda will receive exclusive commercialization rights outside Greater China and the U.S.
    • Innovent will grant Takeda exclusive rights for IBI343 (CLDN18.2 ADC) outside Greater China.
    • Innovent will grant Takeda an exclusive option for the rights for IBI3001 (EGFR/B7H3 ADC) outside Greater China.
    • Innovent will receive a US$1.2 billion upfront payment including a strategic equity investment of US$100 million at premium, and potential milestones for a total deal value of up to US$11.4 billion, and royalties.
    • Innovent to host conference calls and webcasts at 9:00 a.m. HKT (Chinese session) and 9:00 p.m. HKT (English session) on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

    SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Oct. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Innovent Biologics (HKEX: 01801) announced a strategic global collaboration with Takeda (TSE:4502, NYSE:TAK) to advance next-generation IO and ADC cancer therapies, with the goal of developing potentially transformative cancer treatments to benefit patients worldwide.

    This partnership aims to leverage key synergies and accelerate the global development of several investigational medicines within Innovent’s IO+ADC pipeline, including: IBI363, a first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein demonstrating robust anti-tumor activity and potential to be a foundational next-generation IO therapy that is currently in Phase 3 clinical stage; IBI343, a potentially best-in-class CLDN18.2 ADC currently in Phase 3 clinical stage; and IBI3001, a first-in-class EGFR/B7H3 bispecific ADC currently in Phase 1 clinical stage.

    Dr. Hui Zhou, Chief R&D Officer for Oncology Pipeline at Innovent Biologics, stated, 

    “We believe that developing innovative IO and ADC will be a key direction for redefining cancer treatment worldwide. This landmark collaboration with Takeda brings together our three next-generation assets. With clear, aligned development plans, Innovent’s deep understanding of these assets, combined with Takeda’s extensive experience and strong development and commercialization capabilities, we are committed to delivering these promising medicines to patients worldwide as quickly as possible. This collaboration is also a crucial step in fulfilling Innovent’s strategic roadmap as we expand our global footprint, with the goal of becoming a leading global biopharmaceutical company.”

    “We are excited to partner with Innovent, an accomplished team with deep expertise in next-generation immuno-oncology and ADC biology,” said Teresa Bitetti, President of the Global Oncology Business Unit at Takeda.  “IBI363 and IBI343, two next-generation investigational medicines, have the potential to address critical treatment gaps for patients with a range of solid tumors. We are energized by the progress made by Innovent  to date and look forward to collaborating to unlock the potential of these programs. Our global research and development expertise  and commercialization capabilities will enable us to accelerate the delivery of these investigational medicines to patients. These two programs have the potential to be transformative for our oncology portfolio and significantly enhance Takeda’s growth potential post-2030.”

    IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2α-bias): Global Joint Development and Commercialization Collaboration

    IBI363, developed by Innovent Biologics, is a potentially first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-biased bispecific antibody fusion protein that simultaneously blocks the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activates the IL-2 pathway. Innovent has shown that IBI363, with an IL-2 receptor alpha focused approach, selectively expands tumor-specific CD8+ T cells that increase tumor cell killing efficiency without activating or expanding the toxicity related to peripheral T cells, which results in a better safety profile than what is seen with traditional IL-2s. Phase 1b/2 results presented at ASCO 2025 have demonstrated outstanding tumor responses and preliminary survival benefits of IBI363 across immunotherapy-resistant lung cancer, “cold tumors” such as acral and mucosal melanoma, and MSS colorectal cancer. IBI363 is now in registrational clinical development, including a global Phase 3 study in second line sqNSCLC that is expected to begin in the coming months; the China NMPA has granted Breakthrough Designation (BTD) and U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) for this indication.

    According to the agreement, Innovent and Takeda will co-develop IBI363 globally, sharing development costs 40/60 (Innovent/Takeda). In the U.S., Innovent and Takeda will co-commercialize IBI363, sharing the U.S. profit or loss 40/60. Takeda will lead the co-development and co-commercialization efforts under joint governance and aligned development plan. In addition, Innovent will grant Takeda commercialization rights outside Greater China and the U.S. Takeda will have global manufacturing rights to supply IBI363 outside of Greater China, with such rights being co-exclusive with Innovent for commercial supply in the U.S. Takeda will pay Innovent potential development and sales milestones outside Greater China, and tiered royalties up to high-teens on net sales outside Greater China and the U.S.

    This collaboration aims to explore and maximize IBI363’s potential as a new IO backbone therapy through aligned co-development plans. Building on its already robust clinical data of over 1,200 treated patients, IBI363 will be initially developed globally in non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) and colorectal cancer (“CRC”), including in the first-line settings. Additionally, Takeda and Innovent plan to expand IBI363’s clinical development to additional indications.

    IBI343 (CLDN18.2 ADC): Global License for Development and Commercialization

    IBI343, developed by Innovent Biologics, is an innovative TOPO1 inhibitor ADC targeting CLDN18.2. Clinical data show a favorable safety profile and encouraging efficacy signals. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 clinical trial in gastric/gastroesophageal cancers (G-HOPE-001) in China and Japan, and was granted Breakthrough Designation in China. IBI343 also completed a global Phase 1/2 trial in previously treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and has received Breakthrough Designation in China for this indication. It has also received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that has relapsed and/or is refractory to one prior line of therapy.

    Innovent will grant Takeda exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize IBI343 outside of Greater China. Takeda plans to advance the development of IBI343 and expand into first-line gastric and pancreatic cancer settings.

    Takeda will make potential milestone payments, and tiered royalties on net sales up to high-teens for the license of IBI343.

    IBI3001 (EGFR/B7H3 ADC): Option to Global License for Development and Commercialization

    IBI3001, currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, is a first-in-class bispecific ADC targeting B7-H3 and EGFR. It combines multiple anti-tumor mechanisms, including enhanced EGFR blockade, receptor-mediated internalization, and strong ADC-mediated cytotoxicity, with a high safety margin demonstrated in preclinical models.

    Innovent will grant Takeda an exclusive option to license global development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights for IBI3001 outside of Greater China. If exercised, Takeda will pay Innovent an exercise fee, potential milestone payments, and tiered royalties on net sales up to mid-teens.

    Financial Highlights: Total Deal Value up to $11.4Billion

    Takeda will pay Innovent an upfront payment of US$1.2 billion, including a US$100 million equity investment in Innovent through new share issuance, at HK$112.56 per share, a 20% premium to the Innovent 30-trading-day weighted average share price.

    Furthermore, Innovent is eligible for development and sales milestone payments for IBI363, IBI343, and IBI3001 (if option exercised) totaling up to approximately $10.2 billion, for a total deal value of up to $11.4 billion. Innovent will also receive potential royalty payments for each molecule outside Greater China, except with respect to IBI363 in the U.S., where the parties will share profits or losses.

    Innovent will host conference calls and webcasts at 9:00 a.m. HKT (Chinese session) and 9:00 p.m. HKT (English session) on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.Details of the conference call dial-in and the webcast link will be provided on the company website at https://investor.innoventbio.com/en/investors/webcasts-and-presentations/. A replay will also be available on the website shortly after the event.

    Morgan Stanley Asia Limited serves as the exclusive financial advisor to Innovent Biologics in relation to this transaction.

    About Innovent Biologics

    Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 16 products in the market. It has 2 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

    Guided by the motto, “Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action” Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

    Statement:  Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s).

    Forward-looking statement of Innovent Biologics

    This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

    These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent’s control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent’s competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

    Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.

    SOURCE Innovent Biologics

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  • Pindi declared model district for dengue control as capital reports 25 new cases – Dawn

    1. Pindi declared model district for dengue control as capital reports 25 new cases  Dawn
    2. Dengue cases spike in twin cities despite drop in temperature  Dawn
    3. Karachi most affected by dengue in Sindh  The Express Tribune
    4. Due to mosquito bites!  Minute…

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  • Govt downplays dengue outbreak, confirms 276 new cases in October – Dawn

    1. Govt downplays dengue outbreak, confirms 276 new cases in October  Dawn
    2. Karachi most affected by dengue in Sindh  The Express Tribune
    3. Due to mosquito bites!  Minute Mirror
    4. Pakistan: Government apathy and data manipulation deepen Sindh’s medical…

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  • ECP backtracks on Punjab local govt polls – Dawn

    1. ECP backtracks on Punjab local govt polls  Dawn
    2. PTI’s participation in LG polls hangs in balance  Dawn
    3. LG polls: ECP gives Punjab govt four weeks for delimitations under new Act  Geo TV
    4. ECP to hold Punjab local body elections under new law, PTI…

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  • PSV 6-2 Napoli (Oct 21, 2025) Game Analysis

    PSV 6-2 Napoli (Oct 21, 2025) Game Analysis

    Ricardo Pepi scored off the bench as PSV Eindhoven came from behind to thrash Italian champions Napoli 6-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    United States striker Pepi, who only returned from injury at the weekend, scored PSV’s fifth goal just…

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  • Emotive Launches First Toaster To Watch Your Toast

    Emotive Launches First Toaster To Watch Your Toast

    Breville, the global leader in kitchen innovation, has partnered with independent creative agency Emotive to launch the Eye Q Auto Toaster, the world’s first toaster that watches your toast and toasts by colour, not time.

    A true category…

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  • Animated Characters Aim to Combat Rising Syphilis Rates in Bold Campaign

    Animated Characters Aim to Combat Rising Syphilis Rates in Bold Campaign

    Positive change agency Think HQ has set a new benchmark for inclusive health communication with a campaign tackling rising rates of syphilis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

    The ‘Do It, After You Do It’…

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  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Opportunities for Hong Kong

    Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Opportunities for Hong Kong

    Hong Kong is eyeing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as it races to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

    Airplane travel is one of the most carbon-intensive activities. In 2023, the aviation industry’s carbon emissions reached 950 megatonnes, accounting for 2.5% of the world’s emissions. To address this issue, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been developed as an alternative to petroleum-based aviation fuel. 

    As announced in the Hong Kong Policy Address 2025, Hong Kong is eyeing SAF. In this respect, the city is planning to develop a SAF industry chain in cooperation with mainland China authorities, adopt specified SAF consumption targets for flights departing from the Hong Kong International Airport by 2030, and build a SAF blending facility to boost competitiveness.

    What Is SAF?

    Instead of petroleum, SAF is made from sustainable feedstock such as municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, oils, and fats.

    The Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene is one of the most common types of  SAF. First, the appropriate feedstock, like wood waste, agricultural residue, and municipal solid waste, will undergo a thermochemical process called gasification. During this process, biomass will first be heated to remove its water content and break its structure into simpler molecules. Then, a chain of chemical reactions will happen under high temperature (above 700) in an environment with limited oxygen. As a result, the biomass will be converted into syngas that primarily consists of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. After removing the impurities, the syngas can be fed into the reactor to produce liquid hydrocarbons by undergoing the catalytic chemical reaction. The liquid hydrocarbons can be used as aviation fuel after refining.

    Why SAF?

    There are various advantages to adopting SAF in Hong Kong. 

    First, SAF is a drop-in fuel that can be directly used in current aircraft. It means that there is no impact on the performance, and no modification or extra infrastructure is required. 

    Depending on the type of feedstock and production methods, SAF can be blended with conventional aviation fuel in a range of 10% to 50%, with lifecycle carbon emission reductions of up to 80% compared with conventional fuel. Using SAF can also improve air quality by lowering emissions of sulfur and particulate matter.

    All this makes SAF a great ally in decarbonization efforts globally and in Hong Kong – the city is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50% compared with the 2005 level by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. 

    Commercial airplanes at the Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Jeffry S.S. via Pexels.

    Developing SAF is also beneficial for businesses. While airlines can reduce the scope one emissions generated by their aircrafts, other companies can also benefit in the resulting reduction of upstream scope three emissions generated by business travel. As a result, these companies can not only lower their carbon footprint but also reduce the risk of financial loss caused by climate change. 

    As required by the Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited, all listed companies in Hong Kong have an obligation to disclose sustainability-related information – better known as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards – to the public. Therefore, companies that develop or support SAF can increase their business reputation and attract new investment.

    Challenges

    Although developing SAF is a good solution to decarbonize aviation, it comes with some challenges. 

    Currently, the cost of SAF is about two to three times that of conventional aviation fuel. The reason is associated with the limited feedstock supply. Some feedstock, such as crop and virgin oil-based feedstock, may lead to deforestation, land use change, and biodiversity loss. If forests are removed, a massive amount of carbon dioxide stored in the trees will be released back to the atmosphere. 

    It is also difficult to ensure a consistent supply of feedstocks like solid waste and agricultural residues. This, in turn, means higher production costs. As a result, airlines may continue to use conventional aviation fuel to save costs and avoid increasing ticket prices. 

    Overcoming these challenges requires detailed planning and supportive policies, such as diversified feedstock and production methods and government subsidies. 

    Moreover, global SAF adoption is slow. In 2024, global SAF production accounted for just 0.3% of the total aviation fuel production. It is expected to reach 0.7% of total jet fuel production this year.

    Without government incentives and leadership, research and development as well as adoption of SAF technology will lag behind, hindering progress of the aviation industry’s decarbonization efforts.

    More on the topic: Sustainable Aviation Fuel: State of the Industry and Challenges

    Greenwashing Accusations

    SAF has been described as a form of greenwashing – when companies make misleading statements about the environmental impacts of their products as a marketing tactic.

    In fact, SAF is a vague term. People with an inadequate understanding may think it is a completely sustainable solution that has zero emissions. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. During the combustion of jet engines, carbon dioxide will still be released into the atmosphere, even though the lifecycle carbon emissions of SAF are significantly lower. At the same time, air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter will still be emitted, impacting air quality.

    Global Trends

    Despite slow adoption, multiple countries have implemented rules requiring aviation fuel suppliers to increase blending of SAF with conventional aviation fuel. For example, the United Kingdom introduced a SAF Mandate earlier this year. The requirement will increase linearly, from 2% in 2025 to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. In the European Union, the ReFuelEU Aviation measure requires a share of SAF in EU airports from this year, which will gradually increase to 70% by 2050. Both mandates have excluded crop and virgin oil-based feedstocks to avoid deforestation, land use changes, and biodiversity loss.

    Brazil, the host country of this year’s UN climate change summit, COP30, launched the Belém Commitment for Sustainable Fuels. Announced last week, the initiative aims to quadruple the production and use of sustainable fuels in aviation by 2035. The proposal has won the support from India, Italy, and Japan, and it will be presented at the climate conference in Belém next month.

    Scaling Up SAF in Hong Kong

    Although Hong Kong does not require airlines to use SAF, Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has already implemented Asia’s first major SAF program. Launched in 2022, it commits the company to incorporate SAF for 10% of its total fuel consumption by the end of the decade. On October 21, the airline announced a joint investment agreement with Airbus, committing to co-invest up to US$70 million to support the SAF development in Asia and globally.

    Under the terms of the partnership, the two companies will work to identify,”evaluate and invest in projects that support the scaling of SAF production towards 2030 and beyond. Projects will be assessed based on their commercial viability, technological maturity, and potential for long-term offtake,” a press release read.

    Among the Cathay Pacific SAF program’s partners is Hong Kong’s Airport Authority (AAHK). Its General Manager for Sustainability, Peter Lee, said: “We recognise that SAF is a key solution to decarbonise the aviation sector, and aim to drive uptake at Hong Kong International Airport in the coming years.”

    A Cathay Pacific plane approaching the Hong Kong International Airport.
    A Cathay Pacific plane approaching the Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

    As an international logistics hub, the Hong Kong International Airport has been the world’s busiest international cargo airport since 2010. In 2024, it handled about five million tonnes of cargo and 54.9 million passengers. With such a high flow, it is crucial to develop SAF policy and facilities to demonstrate Hong Kong’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and enhancing its global competitiveness and reputation.

    Speaking at a conference last October, Cathay’s General Manager of Sustainability Grace Cheung called for more government pressure for Hong Kong’s aviation sector to meet its climate goals.

    “Regulators have a key role to play for a level playing field, so that every [player] is doing the right thing for society,” Cheung said, according to the South China Morning Post. “If we leave it to the market, every company will wait for their competitors to make the first move.”

    As Hong Kong plans to develop a SAF industry chain and build a SAF blending facility, the production technology will improve and become more cost-effective in the long run. When that happens, airlines will have more incentive to use SAF.

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  • Japan September exports rebound, after four straight months of declines

    Japan September exports rebound, after four straight months of declines

    YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN – 2025/08/28: A loaded container ship is docked inside Tokyo Bay.

    Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

    Japanese exports in September snapped four months of declines, climbing 4.2% year on year, as shipments to Asia saw robust growth, partially offsetting the drop in exports to the U.S.

    Exports, however, missed expectations of a 4.6% rise, according to median estimates in a Reuters poll of economists.

    Shipments to Asia climbed 9.2% compared to the same period last year, while exports to the U.S., Japan’s second largest trading partner, dropped 13.3%. Exports to mainland China, Japan’s largest trading partner rose 5.8%.

    Japan’s exports had fallen into negative territory as the country grappled with U.S. tariffs with its shipments of automobiles to the world’s largest economy taking a huge hit.

    Auto shipments to the U.S. dropped 24.2% in September in terms of value, a softer fall compared to the 28.4% drop in August.

    The world’s fourth-largest economy saw imports increase 3.3% year on year, reversing course from the 5.2% decline in August and beating the 0.6% growth expected by the Reuters poll.

    Tokyo in July clinched a trade deal with Washington, bringing down tariffs on its exports to the U.S. to 15% from the 25% initially proposed by President Donald Trump.

    The data comes a day after the country got its first female prime minister in Sanae Takaichi, after months of political turmoil following electoral losses of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party under former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

    Takaichi’s stance of a loose momentary policy and massive fiscal stimulus is likely to weaken the yen, making Japan’s exports more competitive and benefiting exporters — heavyweights on the benchmark Nikkei 225 that hit a record high on Tuesday.

    Markets have priced in the so-called “Takaichi trade” since she took the helm of the LDP in September, which has seen the Nikkei rise to record highs and the yen weakening past the 150 mark.

    However, the country’s economy has held up better than expected, with the second-quarter GDP being revised upward to 0.5% quarter on quarter from 0.3% estimated initially.

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  • Pharmacists Can Drive Equitable Diagnostics Access, Improve Antimicrobial Resistance Stewardship

    Pharmacists Can Drive Equitable Diagnostics Access, Improve Antimicrobial Resistance Stewardship

    Equity is becoming an increasingly pertinent concern across the health care system. Implementing equitable practices in health care ensures that every patient can attain their full health potential, even in the face of economic or societal…

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