Page 155 - CW E-Magazine (17-6-2025)

Pharmaceuticals

BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING

Agenus and Zydus Lifesciences enter into strategic

collaboration

Agenus Inc., a leader in immuno- unlock the value of its manufacturing countries in the future of Indian-Ameri-
oncology innovation, has signed defi nitive assets and secure strategic capital to drive can relations,” said Dr. Garo Armen,
partnership agreements with Zydus Life- BOT/BAL toward global regulatory CEO of Agenus. “There is also a growing
sciences Ltd., an India-based multinational engagement and commercialisation. recognition by both countries of the need
pharmaceutical company, to accelerate for the United States to ensure that bio-
clinical development, scale global manu- Agenus will also grant Zydus an exclu- pharma supply chains are secure. We are
facturing, and expand patient access to sive license to develop and commer- working with Zydus to accelerate future
two biological drugs – botensilimab and cialise BOT and BAL in India and Sri clinical trials for BOT/BAL and even-
balstilimab (BOT/BAL). Lanka, capitalising on Zydus’ established tually its global footprint in oncology
local market presence and infrastructure. therapeutics.”
The strategic collaboration includes Zydus will pay Agenus a 5% royalty on
an exchange of Agenus’ state-of-the-art net sales in those countries. “We are thrilled to be partnering with
biologics CMC facilities in Emeryville, Agenus to advance BOT/BAL, which
CA and Berkeley, CA for upfront conside- Zydus will also make a strategic equity has the potential to benefi t thousands of
ration of $75-mn; and Agenus to receive investment in Agenus by purchasing patients in our core markets of India and
up to an additional $50-mn in contin- approximately 2.1-million shares of com- Sri Lanka annually and millions of solid
gent payments triggered by BOT/BAL mon stock at $7.50 per share, totalling tumour patients globally. We plan to run
production orders. Zydus will launch a approximately $16-mn in gross proceeds. clinical trials testing BOT/BAL in both
Bio-CDMO business using the facilities Agenus intends to apply the net proceeds early-stage and late-stage disease, along
as their fl agship US sites to provide bio- from the sale of the purchased shares for with expansion beyond colorectal cancer
logics contract manufacturing services working capital and general corporate to other major disease settings like triple
to biopharmaceutical companies globally. purposes, and will accelerate ongoing negative breast cancer,” said Dr. Sharvil
clinical development, registration and Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Life-
Agenus will become Zydus’ fi rst potential commercialisation of BOT/BAL. sciences.
Bio-CDMO customer through an exclu-
sive manufacturing agreement for BOT/ “With a trade agreement between The transaction is subject to custo-
BAL to ensure the combination regi- the United States and India seemingly mary closing conditions and satisfactory
men’s BLA and launch readiness needs. imminent, there is a renewed sense of due diligence. The parties aim to com-
This collaboration enables Agenus to confi dence by trading partners in both plete closing agreements within 60 days.

Advent to invest $175-mn in Felix Pharmaceuticals

American private equity fi rm in the US, through private
Advent has agreed to invest $175-mn labelling.
(around Rs. 1,500-crore) for a mino-
rity stake in Felix Pharmaceuticals, “Felix has an opportunity
an Ireland-based pharma fi rm focused to shape the companion
on developing and manufacturing gene- animal health generics mar-
ric medicines for companion animals ket. The industry is nascent,
such as dogs, cats, and horses. with less than 10% share
held by generic players, pro-
Founded in 2015 by Neeraj Agrawal, viding a long-term growth
Felix Pharma has two manufactur- Uttar Pradesh. The company prima- opportunity,” said Mr. Pankaj Patwari,
ing facilities in Madhya Pradesh and rily supplies to distributors and other Managing Director at Advent, in a
a research and development centre in branded generics players, especially statement.

Chemical Weekly June 17, 2025 155

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised