Brake for gas

Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has emerged from stealth mode with an unconventional bispecific that simultaneously removes the brakes and steps on the gas for antitumor immunity, but only inside tumors. The goal is to upstage leading immunotherapies by widening the gap between efficacy and toxicity.

Backed by Lilly Asia Ventures and headed by venture partner and former Roche BD&L executive Darren Ji, the newco is the latest example of the momentum in China for harnessing innovative science to compete both locally and globally. Ji, who co-founded the company as CEO in 2017, unveiled the company’s lead compound and pipeline strategy at the China Healthcare Investment Conference (CHIC) meeting last month in Shanghai. ...