China’s WuXi Biologics signs US$1.46B licensing deal with GSK

CHINA – WuXi Biologics, a leading global open-access biologics technology platform, has signed an exclusive global licensing agreement worth up to US$1.46 billion with pharmaceutical giant GSK. WuXi Biologics will receive a US$40 million upfront payment and up to US$1.46 billion in additional costs for research, development, and regulatory and commercial milestones across bispecific and multispecific antibodies, according to the terms of the agreement.

The global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) offering endto-end solutions is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales. It will provide an exclusive license to GSK for one preclinical bi-specific T cell engaging (TCE) antibody and the option of three additional bi- and multispecific TCE antibodies developed using WuXi Biologics’ proprietary technology platforms.

Investment

NIGERIA – Pan-African health tech company mPharma is set to invest US$43 million in Nigeria to build out its QualityRx program. This new investment is set to upgrade previous Nigerian facilities – including local community pharmacies – and establish new centers across the country, growing its network from 364 to 1,424 health facilities.

Manufacturing

“Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will be granted an exclusive global license for the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of a pre-clinical bispecific antibody that crosslinks tumor cells and T cells,” WuXi Biologics said.

The Shanghai-based company further said that the bispecific antibody crosslinks tumor cells and T cells by targeting a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) on tumor cells and CD3 expression on T cells and up to three additional pre-clinical TCE antibodies currently at an earlier discovery stage.

INDIA – Polybond India Private Limited has entered into a strategic pact with Prejex Inc., a spin-off of Germanybased Prejex GMBH, with an aim to manufacture needle-less injections in Prune for the entire world. Prejex said that its New Drug Delivery System (NDDS) via needle-less injections will be launched in two different models namely the N-Jector Series and the Prejex MultiReusable Device.

The specialty drug delivery developer disclosed that the N-Jector Series will be a single-dose disposable device that is ‘pre-filled’ in an ampoule while noting that the device can easily be packed and disposed of once the dose has been administered.

This expanded matrix of top-quality health centers is extending mPharma’s reach from 12 to 25 of Nigeria’s states, bringing increased access to primary care to even more patients. In September 2022, mPharma acquired a majority stake in HealthPlus, the leading pharmacy chain in Nigeria.

This new acquisition and subsequent investment are increasing its footprint across the continent through its fastgrowing conversion franchising model.

QualityRx. CitiBank and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation have supported this expansion with longterm debt financing. The investment will increase the capacity of the Nigerian healthcare system to provide formal healthcare services to an additional 750,000 patients each month. It will also create jobs for 11,782 healthcare workers. Pharmacy partners will generate cumulative revenues of US$153 million during the duration of the investment. This will especially impact rural areas that have experienced a sustained decline in the doctor-to-patient ratio, currently at 1:10,000.

“The Prejex Multi-Reusable Device will go up to 30,000 clicks and will be ideal for home use and selfadministration. It will be compatible with pre-filled and non-filled ampoules that can be attached easily via a simple twist,” Prejex announced.

With Prejex’s entry, the pain factor is eliminated as the medicine is delivered subcutaneously through the skin which is an effective and reliable system.