GSK has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Hansoh Pharma for HS-20093, a B7-H3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The deal, announced recently, grants GSK exclusive worldwide rights, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, to further develop and commercialize HS-20093. This agreement expands GSK's oncology portfolio and strengthens its focus on tumor-cell targeting therapies.
HS-20093 is composed of a fully humanized anti-B7-H3 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to a topoisomerase inhibitor (TOPOi) payload. The ADC is currently being investigated in Phase I and II trials in China for the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, head and neck cancers, and other solid tumors.
Hesham Abdullah, SVP, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, stated, "B7-H3 is highly expressed in a broad range of solid tumours where there remains a significant need for novel treatment options. We look forward to progressing this potential new treatment across several indications and in future potential combination approaches with our established portfolio."
Clinical Activity and Trial Data
Initial clinical activity for HS-20093 was observed in the ARTEMIS-001 phase I trial (NCT05276609), presented at the 2023 ASCO annual meeting. The trial included patients with advanced solid tumors, and early data showed confirmed responses in small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and sarcoma, alongside a manageable safety profile.
Financial Terms
Under the agreement, GSK will pay Hansoh Pharma $185 million upfront. Hansoh is also eligible to receive up to $1.525 billion in success-based milestone payments. Upon commercialization, GSK will pay tiered royalties on global net sales outside of China’s mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
B7-H3 as a Target
B7-H3 is a protein highly expressed in various solid tumors, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Its overexpression in tumors with limited expression in normal tissues allows for targeted drug delivery, potentially reducing off-target effects and improving efficacy.
GSK's Oncology Strategy
This agreement marks GSK's second collaboration with Hansoh Pharma on ADCs, following a previous agreement for HS-20089, a B7-H4 targeted ADC currently in phase II clinical trials in China. GSK plans to initiate Phase I trials for HS-20093 outside of China in 2024, further solidifying its commitment to developing transformational medicines for cancer patients.
