Innovent Biologics, a prominent biopharmaceutical company, and Eli Lilly and Company have jointly announced a Distribution and Promotion Agreement focused on introducing Lilly’s reversible BTK inhibitor, Jaypirca, to Mainland China. This partnership entails Innovent taking charge of importing, marketing, distributing, and promoting Jaypirca, while Eli Lilly oversees research, development, and post-market medical operations.
Jaypirca acts as a highly selective kinase inhibitor that reintroduces BTK inhibition for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients who previously used covalent BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib or zanubrutinib. Approved by the US FDA in January 2023, it stands as the first and sole non-covalent BTK inhibitor, later receiving approval from China’s NMPA in October 2024 for adult patients with relapsed or refractory MCL after prior systemic therapies.
In tandem, Lilly is undergoing extensive global phase 3 trials, including in China, with strategies to evaluate Jaypirca for use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and BTK inhibitor-naïve MCL as either a standalone or combination therapy.
Innovent is granted exclusive commercialization rights for Jaypirca in Mainland China, undertaking responsibilities in logistics and promotion, supported by Lilly’s robust R&D and medical expertise. The collaboration aims to boost accessibility to new treatments and enhance cancer patient outcomes in the region.
Dr. Michael Yu, the CEO of Innovent, expressed pride in expanding collaboration with Lilly, remarking on Jaypirca’s potential as a novel treatment option for patients resistant to other BTK inhibitors. He emphasized Innovent’s expansive portfolio of hematology-oncology medications, including products like Tyvyt and olverembatinib, which underline their commitment to advancing cancer treatment worldwide.
From Eli Lilly’s perspective, Huzur Devletsah, President of Lilly China, highlighted the significance of this agreement as a critical step in hematologic cancer care. He praised the synergy between Lilly’s development expertise and Innovent’s market penetration, aligning with the ‘Healthy China 2030’ initiative.
Jaypirca, known in studies as LOXO-305, is a non-covalent BTK inhibitor with high selectivity, showing promise across B-cell leukemias and lymphomas, such as mantle cell lymphoma.
The extensive cooperation between Innovent and Lilly represents a strategic collaboration that accelerates the delivery of innovative medicines. Their partnership, rooted in co-development and commercialization efforts since 2015, has consistently progressed in scope and ambition, culminating in this recent contractual agreement to optimize the availability of Jaypirca in China.
Founded in 2011, Innovent focuses on discovering, developing, and delivering pioneering biopharmaceuticals to address challenging diseases globally. Eli Lilly, with nearly 150 years in the field, continues its mission of translating scientific breakthroughs into therapeutic advancements, positively impacting the lives of millions worldwide.