Lilly, Innovent Announce 8th Collaboration, Breast Cancer Treatment Commercialization in China

Editor’s Note: The continuation of a long-running partnership between Lilly and Innovent extends to China for a seventh time.

Eli Lilly and Company and Innovent Biologics have a new distribution and promotion agreement for Verzenios (abemaciclib) in mainland China.

It is the eighth collaboration between Lilly and Innovent, with a previous one announced in February. Moreover, according to Innovent Founder, Chairman, and CEO Michael Yu, PhD, the partnership now has seven on-market products in China.

“This also marks the 19th product in Innovent’s portfolio,” Yu said. “Enhancing patient access to high-quality, innovative medicines has always been at the core of Innovent’s mission. Leveraging our established commercial infrastructure and strong market presence in China, we remain focused on addressing critical unmet needs.”

Approvals in China

Abemaciclib is a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor that Chinese authorities have already approved for multiple indications. These include, in broad terms, early breast cancer and locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

In each of these indications, abemaciclib’s use applies to various combinations. Among these are, in postmenopausal women, with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy. And, in patients with disease progression after prior endocrine therapy, a combination of abemaciclib and fulvestrant applies.

Additionally, an abemaciclib and imlunestrant combination can treat estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. This is in adult patients, again, who have previously received endocrine therapy.

Innovent and Lilly Division of Duties

Innovent holds sole commercialization rights to Verzenios in mainland China, as per the terms of the agreement with Lilly. Meanwhile, Lilly, as the marketing authorization holder, takes responsibility for manufacturing, supply, and ongoing product development.

“Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent, life–threatening malignancies among women, is a strategic priority [for] Innovent,” Yu said. “We are expanding our presence in this area, laying a solid foundation for our pipeline development and market expansion.”