China-based TJ Biopharma has entered into a definitive agreement granting Biogen exclusive rights to felzartamab in Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). The deal, valued at up to USD 850 million, includes a USD 100 million upfront payment and up to USD 750 million in potential milestone payments, plus tiered royalties. The transaction consolidates global rights to the asset under Biogen, which previously acquired the ex-Greater China rights in July 2024 through its purchase of Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio).

Felzartamab is an investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in Phase III development for multiple immune-mediated kidney diseases, including antibody-mediated rejection, IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). TJ has submitted a separate biologics licence application (BLA) in China for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), which is currently under review. Biogen will lead the development, production and commercialisation of the immunology indications in Greater China, with TJ serving as the manufacturer.

According to PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database, felzartamab is amons the furthest developed CD38 mAbs, only behind Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi's launched products. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.