Eli Lilly and Innovent Biologics have announced an expansion of their drug development collaboration, already one of the largest in China between a multi-national and domestic biopharmaceutical company.

The companies will collaborate to support the development and potential commercialization of up to three anti-PD-1 based bispecific antibodies for cancer treatments over the next decade, both inside and outside of China.

Under the previous agreement, Lilly will exercise its rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize these potential cancer treatments outside of China. 

Innovent now will have the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize these potential cancer treatments for China, subject to a Lilly opt-in right for co-development and commercialization. 

Innovent could receive additional milestones totaling more than $1 billion if the products reach certain development, regulatory and sales milestones, both inside and outside of China. Sales royalties and other payments would occur on certain products if commercialized outside China. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

Lilly will create the three preclinical anti-PD-1 based bispecific antibodies using an antibody sequence contributed by Innovent.