Palleon Pharmaceuticals, a leader in glyco-immunology drug development for autoimmune diseases and cancer, has announced a collaboration and licensing agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (2696.HK). The agreement focuses on the development and commercialization of Palleon’s novel human sialidase enzyme therapeutic, E-602, in combination with Henlius’ self-developed HANLIKANG (rituximab) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis (LN).
Palleon Pharmaceuticals has announced a collaboration with Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. to advance the development of Palleon’s human sialidase enzyme therapeutic, E-602, in combination with Henlius’ rituximab (HANLIKANG) for treating autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis (LN). Depleting B cells with targeted antibodies such as rituximab is a standard treatment for autoimmune diseases; however, many patients experience inadequate responses. Glyco-immunology offers a novel approach by enhancing the depletion of pathogenic memory B cells, which are resistant to antibody-mediated depletion.
E-602 works by enzymatically degrading sialoglycans, cell surface sugars that protect these B cells from depletion. Preclinical studies have shown that E-602 combined with rituximab results in improved outcomes compared to rituximab alone, without the risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) linked to CAR T and T-cell engagers. Furthermore, E-602 has shown a favorable safety profile in clinical trials, making it suitable for outpatient settings.
Dr. Jim Broderick, CEO and Founder of Palleon, expressed confidence in the potential of E-602 to improve treatment outcomes for patients with autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis. He highlighted the therapy’s accessibility and the importance of the continued partnership with Henlius in advancing glyco-immunology for better treatment options.
Under the agreement, Henlius has secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialize E-602 in China, specifically for lupus nephritis in combination with HANLIKANG. Palleon stands to receive up to $95.3 million in development and commercial milestones, along with royalties from E-602’s commercialization in China. Henlius will fund and manage the development of E-602 in China, continuing their collaboration with Palleon, which started in oncology in 2022.
Dr. Jason Zhu, CEO of Henlius, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership, noting the unique position of HANLIKANG as the only rituximab approved for autoimmune indications in China. He emphasized the commitment to delivering improved therapies for lupus nephritis and other autoimmune diseases.
E-602 is a first-in-class therapeutic developed from Palleon’s EAGLE glycan editing platform, while HANLIKANG is China’s first rituximab biosimilar. This collaboration expands Palleon’s glyco-immunology approach to autoimmune diseases, with both companies committed to improving patient outcomes in underserved areas.
About Palleon Pharmaceuticals:
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a leading biotechnology company harnessing glyco-immunology to develop novel therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company’s proprietary platforms utilize human and cell data combined with AI to discover new drug targets and improve patient outcomes.
About Henlius:
Henlius is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing affordable biologic medicines for oncology, autoimmune diseases, and ophthalmic diseases. The company has launched six products in China and has an expanding portfolio of products approved worldwide. Henlius continues to innovate with a diverse pipeline of over 50 molecules across major markets.
