Ipsen Acquires Global Rights to an Anticancer Antibody-Drug Conjugate
The French biopharmaceutical group has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Simcere Zaiming for SIM0613, an experimental antibody-drug conjugate aimed at treating solid tumors, according to a company statement.
Under the terms of the agreement announced on December 22, Ipsen obtains exclusive global rights for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of SIM0613, with the exception of the Greater China territory. In return, Simcere Zaiming could receive up to $1.06 billion, which includes an upfront payment, milestone payments upon achievement of development, regulatory approvals, and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on future sales, the statement specifies. Ipsen will take responsibility for all activities outside of Greater China, including phase I preparation and regulatory procedures. The group will also hold manufacturing rights after a technology transfer process with the Chinese partner.
SIM0613 is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets the LRRC15 protein, which is widely present on various types of tumors and cancer-associated fibroblasts but is minimally expressed on healthy cells, according to the group. The action mechanism relies on the internalization of the conjugate after binding to the target protein, allowing the release of a cytotoxic payload that destroys the cancer cell while sparing normal tissues. Ipsen states that this candidate was designed to optimize intratumoral penetration and has demonstrated antitumor activity in several preclinical models. The program is expected to enter phase I of clinical development in the second half of 2026, the company indicates.
This acquisition is part of Ipsen's strategy to enrich its research and development product portfolio in the field of oncology. According to the statement, the group has added more than 20 early-stage R&D programs since 2020. SIM0613 was developed using Simcere Zaiming's proprietary antibody-drug conjugate platform, an oncology subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group. Ipsen, listed on Euronext Paris, focuses its development activities in three therapeutic areas: oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience. The group, present in over 40 countries, markets its medications in more than 100 countries worldwide.
