LaNova Signs License Agreement with AstraZeneca for LM-305 for Multiple Myeloma

Rare Daily Staff

Chinese biotech LaNova Medicines entered an exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca for LM-305, a pre-clinical stage antibody drug conjugate targeting G protein-coupled receptor, for multiple myeloma.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, AstraZeneca will be granted an exclusive global license to research, develop, and commercialize LM-305. LaNova Medicines is eligible to receive upfront and near-term payments of up to $55 million and additional development and commercial milestone payments of up to $545 million, as well as tiered royalties on net sales worldwide.

“LaNova Medicines has a strong focus on discovering and developing innovative medicines in the ADC and immuno-oncology fields. With the potential to become a first-in-class GPRC5D-directed ADC for multiple myeloma, LM-305 exemplifies our innovative and robust platform for ADC development,” said Crystal Qin, founder, chairman, and CEO of LaNova Medicines.

Multiple myeloma is rare blood cancer in which abnormal plasma cells build up in the bone marrow and form tumors in many bones of the body. This disease keeps the bone marrow from making enough healthy blood cells, which can result in low blood counts.

Myeloma can also damage the bones and the kidneys and weaken the immune system. The exact cause of multiple myeloma is unknown. According to the National Cancer Institute, myeloma accounted for approximately 32,000 new cancer cases in the United States in 2020.

LM-305 is a novel GPRC5D-targeting antibody drug conjugate, consisting of an anti-GPRC5D monoclonal antibody, a protease-degradable linker, and a cytotoxic payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). LM-305 is the second product to emerge from LaNova’s proprietary ADC platform. LM-305 has the potential to become a first-in-class GPRC5D-targeting ADC, with IND approvals in the United States and China.

“LM-305 advances our leadership in ADCs and enriches our growing Hematology pipeline, helping us deliver against our broader ambition to transform clinical outcomes for patients living with blood cancers,” said Nina Shah, global head of Multiple Myeloma, Hematology R&D, AstraZeneca.

Photo: Nina Shah, global head of Multiple Myeloma, Hematology R&D, AstraZeneca