Innovent And Lilly Strengthen Partnership With New Jaypirca® Deal In Mainland China

Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) have announced a new partnership in Mainland China for the distribution and promotion of Lilly's drug, Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib). Innovent will handle the import, marketing, distribution, and promotion of Jaypirca®, while Lilly will continue to manage the research, development, and medical affairs of the product after it reaches the market.

Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib) is a unique kinase inhibitor that works by using a new non-covalent binding method to restore BTK inhibition in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have already been treated with covalent BTK inhibitors like ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, or orelabrutinib. This approach helps target the BTK pathway and meets the unmet needs of these patients. 

Approved by the U.S. FDA in January 2023, Jaypirca® became the first and only non-covalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor. In October 2024, it received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as a treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory MCL after at least two prior therapies, including a BTK inhibitor.

Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Innovent, said in a statement, “Building on our long-term strategic collaboration with Lilly, we are proud to expand our collaboration through this agreement. Jaypirca®, the world's first and only approved non-covalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor, represents a breakthrough treatment option for patients who have previously received BTK inhibitors. Innovent has built a robust and leading portfolio in the hematological malignancy field, consisting of TYVYT® (sintilimab injection), HALPRYZA® (rituximab injection), olverembatinib, FUCASO® (Equecabtagene Autoleucel Injection), and Jaypirca®.

He further added, “By fully leveraging our commercialization capabilities and extensive coverage in this field, we aim to bring forward innovative medicines to benefit cancer patients and further enhance our leading position in oncology. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the biopharmaceutical industry through collaborative efforts so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible.”

Huzur Devletsah, President and General Manager of Lilly China, mentioned, “Lilly is thrilled to appoint Innovent for the distribution and promotion of Jaypirca® marking a pivotal moment in hematologic cancer treatment for Lilly. This agreement allows rapid increase in patient access in Mainland China by drawing on Innovent's robust market presence and our extensive R&D expertise. Together, we are poised to deliver innovative therapies and support the ‘Healthy China 2030’ initiative, continuing our commitment: 'In China, For China.”

Lilly is running global Phase 3 studies, including in China, to test Jaypirca® in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and relapse or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), both as a monotherapy and in combination with other treatments.

Under their agreement, Innovent has exclusive rights to commercialize Jaypirca® in Mainland China, handling its import, marketing, distribution, and promotion. Lilly will focus on research, development, and medical affairs after the product reaches the market. By combining Innovent's strong oncology team in China with Lilly's expertise in drug development, the partnership aims to expand access to new treatments and improve outcomes for cancer patients in the region.