MediLink Therapeutics has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Roche for the development and commercialisation of YL201, a B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The candidate is developed using MediLink's proprietary TMALIN linker-payload platform, which is designed to release its cytotoxic warhead within the tumour microenvironment (TME). YL201 is currently in global clinical studies for various solid tumours, with two Phase III registrational trials underway in China for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The therapy has received breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) int the US for SCLC, along with three orphan drug designations.

Under the agreement, Roche obtains exclusive global rights to YL201 outside of Greater China. MediLink will receive USD 570 million in an upfront payment and near-term milestones, with eligibility for additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on ex-China net sales. This new deal expands upon an existing collaboration between the two companies initiated in January 2024 for a separate c-Met ADC candidate, YL211.

PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database shows that YL201 was the last late-stage B7-H3 candidate available for licensing. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.