Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly and Company are starting a new collaboration to advance novel medicines in immunology and oncology. The collaboration, the seventh between the companies, allows Innovent to accelerate global pipeline development.

Innovent Partnerships and Pipeline

Innovent, which develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines for oncologic, autoimmune, cardiovascular, metabolic, ophthalmologic, and other diseases, maintains numerous key partnerships. These include not only Lilly but also Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Having already launched some 16 products in the market, Innovent currently has two new drug applications under regulatory review. It also has four assets in Phase III or other pivotal clinical trials, and 15 molecules in early clinical stage.

In the new collaboration, Innovent will lead development from concept through clinical proof-of-concept—Phase II clinical trial completion—in China. Lilly has an exclusive license to develop and commercialize programs globally outside greater China, where Innovent retains the rights.

A similar arrangement was made in December 2024 regarding Lilly’s non-covalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib).

Comments on Lilly Collaboration

Founded in 2011, Innovent’s partnership with Lilly stretches over 10 years, noted Innovent Founder, CEO, and Chairman Michael Yu, PhD.

“This alliance moves beyond traditional licensing to create a seamless, end-to-end innovation ecosystem,” Yu said. “[It] validates Innovent’s R&D capabilities and allows us to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into impactful global medical solutions.”

On the financial side of the agreement, Innovent will receive an upfront payment totaling $350 million. In addition, the company is eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments up to approximately $8.5 billion. This is contingent upon the achievement of “certain future events,” according to a press release.

Innovent will also be eligible for tiered royalties on net sales of products outside of greater China.