Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, via one of its subsidiaries, has officially partnered with Hengrui Pharma in an exclusive licensing and collaboration deal. This agreement focuses on Trastuzumab Rezetecan (SHR-A1811), a cutting-edge antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to target HER2 in cancer treatment.
As part of this significant alliance, Glenmark secures exclusive rights to develop and market Trastuzumab Rezetecan in a wide array of countries. Notably, key markets such as Mainland China, the USA, Europe, Japan, and Russia are excluded from this specific agreement. Glenmark’s commitment includes an initial upfront payment of $18 million.
Hengrui stands to gain substantial financial benefits, with potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments totaling up to $1.093 billion. Additionally, Glenmark will provide Hengrui with royalties tied to the net sales of Trastuzumab Rezetecan within the agreed-upon licensed territories.
Trastuzumab Rezetecan is Hengrui’s innovative HER2-targeted ADC, already making strides in cancer therapy. In May 2025, it received approval in China for treating adult patients with HER2 (ERBB2) activating mutations in unresectable locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly for those who have undergone at least one previous systemic therapy.
Expanding its potential, Trastuzumab Rezetecan saw its new indication for breast cancer accepted for review by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in September. This promising drug has also earned a place on the NMPA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation list for an impressive nine indications, encompassing not only NSCLC and breast cancer but also gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, biliary tract cancer, and various gynecologic malignancies, as announced by Glenmark in a recent statement.