GSK to Acquire ‘Dual-Target’ Cancer Drug Candidate in China for Up to $1.8 Billion

UK pharmaceutical company GSK will acquire a novel cancer drug candidate from a Chinese biotechnology company in a deal worth up to $1.3 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion won).

According to BioPharma Dive on the 3rd (local time), GSK signed an agreement with China’s Hutchmed to secure most of the rights to HMPL-A830. GSK will pay an upfront fee of $110 million and may pay up to approximately $1.19 billion more in milestone payments and royalties.

HMPL-A830 is a compound that Hutchmed calls an “antibody-targeted therapeutic conjugate.” Its distinguishing feature is that it simultaneously targets EGFR and KRAS, two major proteins associated with cancer.

Existing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) work by attaching a toxic substance to a targeting antibody. Although they have become central to cancer treatment in recent years, their applications are limited, prompting several pharmaceutical companies to develop improved technologies.

HMPL-A830 consists of an EGFR-targeting antibody linked to a small-molecule drug that blocks KRAS. Hutchmed said preclinical studies showed “synergistic anticancer activity” and “durable” responses, suggesting the candidate could outperform existing antibodies or small-molecule drugs.

EGFR mutations are observed in approximately 10% to 15% of lung tumors, while KRAS mutations are found in a substantial proportion of colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancers. Hutchmed said many tumors lack safe and durable KRAS therapies and explained that HMPL-A830 was designed to address this need.

Hesham Abdullah, GSK’s head of oncology, said, “HMPL-A830’s dual KRAS-EGFR mechanism has the potential to significantly improve current standards of care.”

Hutchmed will lead the phase 1 trial, while GSK will oversee global development outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. HMPL-A830 is expected to enter clinical trials this year.