Evogene Ltd and Shanghai Lishan Biopharmaceuticals Co. have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement for BMC128, a first-in-class microbiome-based therapeutic being developed for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
BMC128 was developed by Biomica Ltd., a subsidiary of Evogene, and is currently completing a Phase 1 clinical study with an excellent safety and tolerability profile and early signs of efficacy, including disease stabilisation in patients whose cancer had previously progressed.
Under the terms of the agreement, Shanghai Lishan Biopharmaceuticals will assume responsibility for global clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation of BMC128, while Biomica will be eligible to receive development milestone payments and royalties on future commercial sales. Lishan Biotech plans to advance the programme into a Phase 2 clinical study and pursue regulatory filings in both China and the United States toward future marketing authorisations.
BMC128 consists of a live biopharmaceutical consortium of four human gut bacterial strains designed to enhance anti-tumour immune responses and improve outcomes in combination with existing immunotherapies. Early Phase 1 results have shown that patients treated with the therapeutic achieved stable disease, supporting further clinical evaluation.
The licensing deal positions Lishan Biotech to lead the next stages of development and regulatory strategy for BMC128 across major markets, while providing Evogene and its subsidiary with a pathway to participate in the programme’s future commercial growth through milestone and royalty arrangements.
