Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. has collaborated with Indian pharmaceutical firm Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to develop and commercialise toripalimab, the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in 21 countries.

Under the license and commercialisation agreement, Junshi Biosciences will grant a licence to Dr. Reddy’s to develop and exclusively commercialise toripalimab in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Panama, Uruguay, India and South Africa.

Dr. Reddy’s may elect to expand the scope of the license to cover Australia, New Zealand and nine other countries.

Junshi Biosciences also grants Dr. Reddy’s the exclusive right of first negotiation for commercialisation, in the event that Junshi Biosciences determines to grant any third party the rights to commercialise two other products as agreed in the agreement in one or more countries within the total 21 countries of Dr. Reddy’s Territory.

Junshi Biosciences may receive up to an aggregate of $728.3 million for upfront payment, potential expansion of Dr. Reddy’s Territory and milestone payment, plus double-digit percentage of royalties on the net sales of products containing toripalimab.

Toripalimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody developed for its ability to block PD-1 interactions with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and for enhanced receptor internalization (endocytosis function). Blocking PD-1 interactions with PD-L1 and PD-L2 promotes the immune system’s ability to attack and kill tumour cells.