Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has finalized a licensing deal with 3SBio, allowing the Chinese biotech company to manufacture and commercialize select Pfizer-developed drugs within China.
Pfizer Inc. has recently secured exclusive global (excluding China) rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SSGJ-707, a groundbreaking bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, through a licensing deal with 3SBio finalized around July 2025. The agreement involves a significant upfront payment of $1.25 billion, a $100 million equity investment, and milestone and royalty payments that could total up to $4.8 billion.
Current Status and Plans
SSGJ-707 has demonstrated promising Phase 1/2 clinical data as both monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy, notably in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Pfizer is planning to rapidly advance its development program with novel combination strategies across multiple tumor types.
The company has obtained exclusive manufacturing rights outside China, leveraging its global manufacturing infrastructure and experience with complex biologics to scale production of SSGJ-707 to meet anticipated demand. Pfizer controls exclusive commercialization rights outside China, with an option to expand these rights to include China through additional option payments (~$150 million).
Future Plans
Pfizer is focusing initially on the U.S. and global markets excluding China, with the China market option remaining open and may be exercised to extend development and commercialization rights there. The company intends to leverage SSGJ-707's dual targeting of PD-1 (immune checkpoint) and VEGF (angiogenesis) pathways in the rapidly growing oncology market, especially for NSCLC, projected to reach $30 billion by 2030.
The bispecific's superior efficacy observed in earlier clinical stages suggests a competitive edge over other PD-1/VEGF bispecific candidates from BioNTech, Akeso, AstraZeneca among others. Pfizer plans to explore combinations with existing therapies, including its ADC portfolio, to expand SSGJ-707’s applicability and enhance efficacy in various cancers.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Status / Plans | |---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Development | Advanced Phase 1/2 data; rapid clinical advancement | | Manufacturing | Pfizer holds exclusive manufacturing rights (ex-China)| | Commercialization| Exclusive ex-China rights; option to include China | | Markets | U.S. and global (excluding China), potential China expansion| | Strategic Focus | Oncology backbone for NSCLC, mCRC, combinations with ADCs| | Financials | $1.25B upfront, $100M equity investment, up to $4.8B milestones/royalties |
This deal aligns with Pfizer’s strategy to strengthen its oncology pipeline with transformative bispecific antibodies, aiming to capture significant market share in immune-oncology by combining immune checkpoint blockade with anti-angiogenic effects.
However, it is important to note that the agreement carries substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.Pfizer.com.
Pfizer Oncology focuses on delivering transformative therapies in some of the world's most common cancers. For further information, please contact the media and investor contacts provided.
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- Pfizer's strategic focus is on utilizing SSGJ-707, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, to capture significant market share in the rapidly growing oncology market, specifically in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (mCRC), through its immune-oncology strategy that combines immune checkpoint blockade with anti-angiogenic effects.
- In the health and wellness sphere, Pfizer plans to explore combinations with existing therapies, such as its ADC portfolio, to expand SSGJ-707’s applicability and enhance efficacy in various medical-conditions like cancer, aiming to provide promising treatments for patients.
