SHENYANG, China and BOSTON Mass., February 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — 3SBio Inc. (“3SBio”)
(HKEX:1530) and Verseau Therapeutics, Inc. (“Verseau”) announced today a partnership agreement
focused on the development and commercialization of novel monoclonal antibodies in the field of
immuno-oncology for a broad range of cancers. Verseau’s proprietary drug discovery platform generates
first-in-class macrophage checkpoint modulators (MCMs) to benefit patients with cancer, immune and
inflammatory diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, 3SBio will receive an exclusive license to develop and commercialize
a select number of MCM antibodies for all human oncology indications in Greater China, including
mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau (“Territory”). Verseau will be responsible for discovery
and optimization of MCM antibodies for each program. 3SBio will fund and conduct antibody
development, GMP manufacturing, and commercialization in the Territory. Verseau and 3SBio will be
eligible to receive certain milestone payments and royalties on product sales both in the Territory and
globally. 3SBio will also purchase $15 million of Verseau Series B preferred stock. Additional financial
terms were not disclosed.
“Recent advances in immuno-oncology have produced unprecedented benefit to patients; however, many
people with cancer still require more effective treatment options,” said Dr. Jing Lou, Chief Executive
Officer of 3SBio. “Our collaboration with Verseau provides 3SBio with access to novel and differentiated
immune-modulating antibodies that will complement our growing innovative oncology portfolio. We
look forward to partnering with the Verseau team.”
“3SBio is an ideal partner for Verseau to rapidly advance our novel, first-in-class macrophage checkpoint
modulators in immuno-oncology,” said Dr. Christine Bunt, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Verseau. “3SBio is a pioneer in China’s biotechnology industry with a fully-integrated R&D,
manufacturing and commercial platform.”
About Macrophage Checkpoint Modulators
Verseau is broadening the therapeutic potential of immunotherapy by developing macrophage checkpoint
modulators (MCMs) that regulate the functional shift to make macrophages more inflammatory or more
tolerogenic depending on the disease context. While PD-1 inhibitors have provided great clinical
successes, they are only effective in 10-15% of cancer patients. Macrophages demonstrate one of the
highest infiltration rates in human tumors (~75%). MCMs cause tumors to turn highly inflammatory and
stimulate multiple immune cell types, including T cells. Verseau’s therapies have the potential to
significantly expand the number of patients benefitting from immunotherapy, including those
unresponsive to PD-1 inhibitor therapies. Through its proprietary all-human translational system Verseau
has validated more than two dozen targets amenable to different therapeutic modalities, including
monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
About 3SBio Inc.
3SBio is a fully-integrated biotechnology company in China with market-leading biopharmaceutical
franchises in oncology, auto-immune diseases, nephrology, metabolic diseases and dermatology. 3SBio is
focusing on building an innovative product pipeline, currently with over 30 product candidates under
development. 3SBio’s manufacturing capabilities include recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies
and chemically-synthesized molecules, with production centers in Shenyang, Shanghai, Hangzhou,
Shenzhen and Cuomo, Italy. Please visit www.3sbio.com for additional information.
About Verseau
Verseau is creating a new class of therapeutics, macrophage checkpoint modulators, to benefit patients
with cancer, immune and inflammatory diseases. With our proprietary all-human translational system we
identify novel targets and develop therapies that shift macrophages between immune activators and
silencers in disease. Our data suggest that we can at least double the patient population benefitting from
immunotherapy. Our initial focus is building a pipeline of first-in-class therapies that modulate
macrophages to trigger a coordinated immune attack on cancer. Please visit www.verseautx.com for
additional information.