Innovent Biologics of Suzhou announced a $457 million deal to acquire global rights for a small-molecule IDO inhibitor, which it intends to pair with its PD-1 candidate, IBI308. Both molecules are immuno-therapies, but their mechanisms are different. Innovent made the deal with the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The agreement specifies an upfront payment plus milestones and a royalty, though details were not disclosed. In 2015, Lilly agreed to a $1 billion deal for ex-China rights to as many as nine Innovent biologic candidates; IBI308 is one of them.
