VCBeat Pharma Weekly | Zelgen partners with AbbVie; CSPC scores 3 drug clearances; Abogen appoints first Chief AI Officer
Litigation and Legal Disputes
The Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China upholds Semaglutide compound patent.
On December 31, 2025, Novo Nordisk's compound patent for semaglutide received support from the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, reinforcing its intellectual property protection in China.
Cooperation Trends
AbbVie and Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals enter into a global development and commercialization strategic collaboration.
On December 31, 2025, Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration and option agreement with an affiliate of AbbVie. for the global development and commercialization of ZG006 (Alveltamig). The candidate, ZG006, is a novel trispecific T-cell engager targeting DLL3, currently in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of small cell lung cancer and other DLL3-expressing malignant tumors.
Key terms of the agreement indicate that AbbVie has obtained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ZG006 outside Greater China. Within Greater China, Zelgen will continue to lead the development of ZG006 until the completion of registrational clinical trials and retains exclusive commercialization rights for the product in this region. Zelgen will receive an upfront payment of USD 100 million, along with near-term milestone payments based on clinical progress and potential payments of up to USD 60 million related to licensing options.
New Approvals
Three innovative drugs from CSPC approved for clinical trials on the same day.
On December 29, 2025, three innovative drugs from CSPC were approved for clinical trials on the same day. Among them, the Prusogliptin Dapagliflozin Metformin Hydrochloride Sustained-Release Tablet is the world's first triple-combination hypoglycemic drug approved for clinical trials; the GLP-1/GIP dual receptor-biased agonist injection has demonstrated superior weight-loss potential compared to similar products in animal studies; while the potent aldosterone synthase inhibitor holds promise as a new therapy for uncontrolled hypertension.
CARsgen Therapeutics submits two IND applications for universal BCMA CAR-T product CT0596.
On December 29, 2025, CARsgen Therapeutics announced on its official website that it has submitted two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its universal BCMA CAR-T product CT0596, aiming to initiate Ib/II phase clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) and primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL), respectively.
HutchMed submits NDA and receives priority review for Savolitinib in gastric cancer in China.
On December 30, 2025, HutchMed announced that the New Drug Application (NDA) for its selective MET inhibitor savolitinib for the treatment of MET-amplified gastric cancer has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and granted priority review. The submission is based on data from a Phase II registrational study that met its primary endpoint, positioning the drug as a potential first-in-class targeted therapy for this patient population in China.
Frontier Biotechnologies' first-in-class siRNA nephropathy drug FB7013 has its clinical trial application accepted.
On December 31, 2025, Frontier Biotechnologies announced that the Clinical Trial Application (CTA) for its self-developed MASP-2-targeted siRNA drug FB7013 injection has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). As the first siRNA drug targeting MASP-2 to enter clinical application, it is intended for the treatment of IgA nephropathy. Preclinical studies have shown that it can strongly and durably inhibit the target protein in animal models, significantly improve renal disease indicators with a favorable safety profile, and holds the potential for dosing once every 3 to 6 months.
HutchMed initiates Phase III clinical trial of Surufatinib combination therapy in pancreatic cancer.
On January 5, 2026, HutchMed announced the initiation of the Phase III stage of its Phase II/III study evaluating surufatinib in combination with camrelizumab and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer. The study plans to enroll approximately 400 additional patients, with overall survival as the primary endpoint. Previously released Phase II data indicated that the combination therapy significantly extended median progression-free survival and showed a positive trend in overall survival.
Cooperation Trends
Transcenta and EirGenix enter into technology licensing agreement to advance continuous flow manufacturing process.
On December 29, 2025, Transcenta and EirGenix announced a strategic collaboration and non-exclusive technology licensing agreement. Under the agreement, Transcenta will license its high-efficiency integrated continuous bioprocessing manufacturing platform to EirGenix. This technology is designed to significantly reduce production costs, improve efficiency and product consistency, with the goal of accelerating the global accessibility of affordable biologics for the benefit of more patients.
TJ Bio and Jumpcan Pharmaceutical jointly announce acceleration of localization strategy for Eftansomatropin alfa.
On December 29, 2025, TJ Bio and Jumpcan Pharmaceutical jointly announced their decision to fully implement the localization strategy for Recombinant Eftansomatropin Injection. Jumpcan has completed the technology transfer and process optimization for Eftansomatropin alfa. The bioequivalence clinical trial for both the imported and locally produced versions has been approved by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (Acceptance No.: CXSL2500596) and has been initiated. In light of these comprehensive considerations, Jumpcan has proactively withdrawn its previously submitted marketing application for the imported biological product version of Eftansomatropin (Acceptance No.: JXSS2400105) to focus on the prompt submission of the marketing application for the localized version.
Executive Moves
Abogen Biosciences appoints Dr. Iain McFadyen as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer.
On January 4, 2026, Abogen announced the appointment of Dr. Iain McFadyen as the company's Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and a member of its Scientific Advisory Board. He will lead the development of Abogen's digital platforms and AI technologies, accelerating innovation and translation in RNA therapeutics. Dr. McFadyen brings extensive experience in AI-driven drug discovery, having previously held positions at leading companies such as Moderna.