AbbVie, Simcere Zaiming partner on myeloma treatment SIM0500
Therapy, now in Phase 1 trial, aims to trigger T-cells to destroy myeloma cells
Abbvie is teaming up with China-based company Simcere Zaiming to advance the development of SIM0500, Simcere’s experimental treatment for multiple myeloma that’s currently being tested in a Phase 1 trial.
“As a leader in hematologic malignancies, AbbVie is committed to advancing innovative treatments for complex cancers like multiple myeloma through our relentless R&D efforts and collaborations,” said Mariana Cota Stirner, MD, PhD, vice president and therapeutic area head for hematology at Abbvie, said in a company press release.
Under the agreement, Simcere will be eligible to receive more than $1 billion from Abbvie in milestone payments and option fees, as well as royalties on eventual sales of SIM0500 outside of China. Meanwhile, Abbvie will receive royalties on any sales of the experimental therapy within Greater China.
“We look forward to partnering with Simcere Zaiming, to advance this novel trispecific antibody, which has the potential to help address significant unmet medical needs for people living with multiple myeloma,” Stirner said.
Myeloma is a blood cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells, a type of immune cell. It’s often called multiple myeloma, since the cancer typically grows in multiple areas of the bone marrow.
Myeloma treatment binds to 3 targets
SIM0500 is an antibody-based therapy designed to kill myeloma cells by simultaneously binding to three distinct molecular targets. The therapy targets two proteins that are expressed on the surface of myeloma cells: BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) and GPRC5D (G-Protein-coupled receptor class 5 member D). At the same time, SIM0500 binds to CD3, a protein that’s expressed by T-cells, which are a type of immune cell that’s able to kill cancer cells.
By simultaneously sticking to targets on cancer cells and T-cells, the experimental therapy aims to trigger T-cells to destroy the myeloma cells.
“SIM0500 is developed via Simcere Zaiming’s proprietary T-cell engager platform,” said Renhong Tang, PhD, CEO of Simcere. “We are excited to partner with AbbVie on this novel drug candidate and look forward to working together to advance the clinical development of SIM0500.”
A Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06375044) is testing SIM0500 in people with hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. The study is open to adults with myeloma that has failed to be adequately controlled with all established standard-of-care therapies. All participants will be treated with SIM0500 for about a month, with the main aim of evaluating the therapy’s safety profile.
The Phase 1 study is expected to enroll about 130 participants. Recruitment is ongoing at sites in the U.S. and in China.
About the Author
