NextCure Enters into Partnership with Simcere Zaiming to Advance CDH6-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
NextCure has entered a strategic partnership with Simcere Zaiming to jointly develop SIM0505 an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CDH6 (cadherin-6) for solid tumour treatment.
SIM0505, currently undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials in China, is expected to enter clinical testing in the United States by the third quarter of 2025. The drug uses Simcere Zaiming’s proprietary topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (TOPOi) payload and a unique CDH6 binding epitope, which enhances tumour targeting. Preclinical studies have shown promising anti-tumour effects across various solid tumour models and indicated a favourable safety profile.
Following dose escalation studies in China, the companies plan to initiate a global dose expansion phase involving multiple tumour types. The Investigational New Drug (IND) application for SIM0505 has already been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
As part of the agreement, NextCure will also gain rights to use Simcere Zaiming’s proprietary linker and TOPOi payload technology in one of its preclinical ADC programmes. Simcere Zaiming will retain commercial rights for this additional ADC in the Greater China region.
The deal includes an upfront payment and potential milestone payments related to development, regulatory approvals, and sales, which could total up to US$745 million.
Simcere Zaiming will also receive tiered royalties on net sales outside of Greater China.
Source: nextcure.com
