Ipsen expands early development pipeline with Simcere Zaiming’s innovative antibody drug conjugate
Summary by AI BETAClose X
- Ipsen gains exclusive global rights, outside of Greater China, for development, manufacturing and commercialization of SIM0613, a LRRC15-targeting antibody-drug conjugate
- SIM0613 is optimally designed for superior tumor penetration with robust preclinical efficacy data
- Program expected to enter Phase I clinical development in H2 2026
- Simcere Zaiming is eligible to receive up to $1.06B in total payments
PARIS, FRANCE; 22 DECEMBER 2025 - Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) announced today an exclusive licensing agreement for global rights outside of Greater China, for SIM0613, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with best-in-class potential. Targeting the LRRC15 protein, SIM0613 is designed for enhanced tumor penetration and differentiated anti-tumor activity in solid tumors with the highest unmet needs.
“Today’s announcement underscores our bold vision to lead innovation and shape the future of oncology,” said Christelle Huguet, PhD EVP and Head of Research & Development, Ipsen. “By advancing first- and best-in-class therapies early, we maximize the potential to transform patient outcomes globally. The addition of the SIM0613 ADC is testament to this ambition—pioneering science that opens new possibilities for those who need it most and builds on Ipsen’s rapidly evolving research and early development portfolio, with over 20 programs added since 2020."
"SIM0613 is developed via Simcere Zaiming's proprietary antibody-drug conjugate platform," said Renhong Tang, PhD, CEO of Simcere Zaiming. "We are excited to partner with Ipsen on this novel drug candidate and look forward to working together to advance the clinical development of SIM0613. "
Under the terms of the agreement, Simcere Zaiming is eligible to receive up to $1.06B comprising upfront, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and tiered royalties on sales, contingent upon successful development and regulatory approvals. Ipsen will have manufacturing rights, following the tech transfer process and will assume responsibility for all activities outside Greater China including Phase I preparation activities and submission of the Investigational New Drug and Clinical Trial applications.
About SIM0613
SIM0613 targets the leucine-rich repeat-containing 15 (LRRC15), a protein highly expressed on varies tumor types and cancer-associated fibroblasts but with limited expression on normal cells. Upon binding to the LRRC15 protein, SIM0613 is internalized where the cytotoxic payload is released, killing the cancer cell and therefore sparing healthy cells. SIM0613 is specifically engineered for deep tumor and cancer-associated fibroblast penetration, resulting in robust tumor regressions in multiple in vivo preclinical models.
About Ipsen
We are a global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on bringing transformative medicines to patients in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Our pipeline is fueled by internal and external innovation and supported by nearly 100 years of development experience and global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K. Our teams in more than 40 countries and our partnerships around the world enable us to bring medicines to patients in more than 100 countries.
Ipsen is listed in Paris (Euronext: IPN) and in the U.S. through a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt program (ADR: IPSEY). For more information, visit ipsen.com.
About Simcere Zaiming
Simcere Zaiming is an oncology-focused bipharmaceutical company and a subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited (HKEX: 2096, “Simcere”). Founded in 2023, Simcere Zaiming dedicated to developing ground breaking therapies to meet the unmet clinical needs of cancer patients globally. With a robust and innovative R&D pipeline featuring distinct clinical assets, Simcere Zaiming has successfully launched several innovative products in China, including Enzeshu®, COSELA®, Enweida®, Endostar®, and Enlituo®. The company is determined to deliver potentially transformative treatment options to cancer patients worldwide through its internal R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities, complemented by strategic collaborations with leading partners.
About antibody-drug-conjugates
Antibody-Drug Conjugates are comprised of three main components: the antibody, a payload and a linker. The antibody selectively targets an identified tumor antigen. Payloads are the pharmaceutically active component to treat the cancer, attached to the antibody via a chemical linker. The linker connects the antibody and the payload and reduces the amount of payload that reaches non-tumor tissue.
Ipsen Contacts
Investors
Henry Wheeler henry.wheeler@ipsen.com +33 7766471149
Khalid Deojee khalid.deojee@ipsen.com +33 666019526
Media
Sally Bain sally.bain@ipsen.com +1 8573200517
Anne Liontas anne.liontas.ext@ipsen.com +33 0767347296
Disclaimers and/or forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements, objectives and targets contained herein are based on Ipsen’s management strategy, current views and assumptions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. All of the above risks could affect Ipsen’s future ability to achieve its financial targets, which were set assuming reasonable macroeconomic conditions based on the information available today. Use of the words ‘believes’, ‘anticipates’ and ‘expects’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, including Ipsen’s expectations regarding future events, including regulatory filings and determinations. Moreover, the targets described in this document were prepared without taking into account external-growth assumptions and potential future acquisitions, which may alter these parameters. These objectives are based on data and assumptions regarded as reasonable by Ipsen. These targets depend on conditions or facts likely to happen in the future, and not exclusively on historical data. Actual results may depart significantly from these targets given the occurrence of certain risks and uncertainties, notably the fact that a promising medicine in early development phase or clinical trial may end up never being launched on the market or reaching its commercial targets, notably for regulatory or competition reasons. Ipsen must face or might face competition from generic medicine that might translate into a loss of market share. Furthermore, the research and development process involves several stages each of which involves the substantial risk that Ipsen may fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts with regards to a medicine in which it has invested significant sums. Therefore, Ipsen cannot be certain that favorable results obtained during preclinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe and effective nature of the medicine concerned. There can be no guarantees a medicine will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that the medicine will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and healthcare legislation; global trends toward healthcare cost containment; technological advances, new medicine and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new-medicine development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Ipsen’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of Ipsen’s patents and other protections for innovative medicines; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. Ipsen also depends on third parties to develop and market some of its medicines which could potentially generate substantial royalties; these partners could behave in such ways which could cause damage to Ipsen’s activities and financial results. Ipsen cannot be certain that its partners will fulfil their obligations. It might be unable to obtain any benefit from those agreements. A default by any of Ipsen’s partners could generate lower revenues than expected. Such situations could have a negative impact on Ipsen’s business, financial position or performance. Ipsen expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. Ipsen’s business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its registration documents filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The risks and uncertainties set out are not exhaustive and the reader is advised to refer to Ipsen’s latest Universal Registration Document, available on ipsen.com.
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