Ipsen Secures Global Rights to Novel LRRC15-Targeting ADC in $1.06 Billion Deal with Simcere Zaiming
核心洞察
Ipsen has acquired exclusive global rights outside Greater China for SIM0613 (搜索), a novel antibody-drug conjugate targeting LRRC15 (搜索) protein with best-in-class potential for solid tumors.
The licensing agreement with Simcere Zaiming (搜索) is worth up to $1.06 billion in milestone payments and royalties, with Phase I trials expected to begin in H2 2026.
SIM0613 (搜索) is specifically engineered for enhanced tumor penetration and targets cancer-associated fibroblasts while sparing healthy cells, showing robust efficacy in preclinical models.
French biopharmaceutical company Ipsen announced on December 22, 2025, an exclusive licensing agreement with Simcere Zaiming (搜索) for global rights to SIM0613 (搜索), an innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting the LRRC15 (搜索) protein. The deal, valued at up to $1.06 billion, grants Ipsen development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights for all territories outside Greater China.
Novel Mechanism Targets Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
SIM0613 (搜索) represents a differentiated approach to cancer treatment by targeting leucine-rich repeat-containing 15 (LRRC15 (搜索)), a protein highly expressed on various tumor types and cancer-associated fibroblasts but with limited expression on normal cells. Upon binding to LRRC15, the ADC is internalized and releases its cytotoxic payload directly into cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
"SIM0613 (搜索) is specifically engineered for deep tumor and cancer-associated fibroblast penetration, resulting in robust tumor regressions in multiple in vivo preclinical models," according to the companies' announcement. This enhanced tumor penetration capability positions the therapy as a potential best-in-class treatment for solid tumors with high unmet medical needs.
Strategic Partnership and Development Timeline
Under the licensing agreement, Simcere Zaiming (搜索) is eligible to receive upfront payments, development milestones, regulatory milestones, commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on sales. Ipsen will assume responsibility for all development activities outside Greater China, including Phase I preparation and regulatory submissions for Investigational New Drug and Clinical Trial applications.
The program is expected to enter Phase I clinical development in the second half of 2026. Ipsen will also acquire manufacturing rights following the technology transfer process from Simcere Zaiming (搜索).
"Today's announcement underscores our bold vision to lead innovation and shape the future of oncology," said Christelle Huguet, PhD, EVP and Head of Research & Development at Ipsen. "By advancing first- and best-in-class therapies early, we maximize the potential to transform patient outcomes globally."
Expanding Oncology Portfolio
The SIM0613 (搜索) acquisition significantly strengthens Ipsen's oncology pipeline, building on the company's rapidly evolving research and early development portfolio. According to Huguet, Ipsen has added over 20 programs to its pipeline since 2020, demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing innovative cancer therapies.
"SIM0613 (搜索) is developed via Simcere Zaiming (搜索)'s proprietary antibody-drug conjugate platform," said Renhong Tang, PhD, CEO of Simcere Zaiming. "We are excited to partner with Ipsen on this novel drug candidate and look forward to working together to advance the clinical development of SIM0613."
ADC Technology Platform
The collaboration leverages Simcere Zaiming (搜索)'s proprietary ADC platform, which combines three key components: a targeting antibody, a cytotoxic payload, and a chemical linker. The antibody selectively targets tumor antigens, while the linker connects the antibody to the pharmaceutically active payload and reduces off-target effects by minimizing payload exposure to non-tumor tissue.
Simcere Zaiming (搜索), founded in 2023 as a subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (搜索) Limited, focuses on developing breakthrough therapies for unmet clinical needs in oncology. The company has successfully launched several innovative products in China, including Enzeshu (搜索)®, COSELA®, Enweida®, Endostar®, and Enlituo®.