Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited (“Simcere”) on 1 September 2026 announced an exclusive global licensing agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (“Roche”) for SIM0660, a first-in-class CD79a/CD19/CD3 tri-specific antibody originating from Simcere’s oncology T-cell engager (TCE) platform.

Under the agreement, Roche will obtain worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise SIM0660. Financial terms comprise a US$75.00 million upfront payment to Simcere and milestone payments that could reach up to US$1.46 billion. In addition, Simcere is entitled to tiered royalties that may rise to double-digit percentages on future global net sales.

SIM0660 integrates a CD3-engaging arm with binding domains for B-cell antigens CD79a and CD19, aiming to induce potent T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity while mitigating cytokine release. The dual-target approach is designed for broad application across B-cell malignancies—including newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory cases—and may provide an alternative for patients previously treated with CD20- or CD19-directed therapies. Preclinical data also suggest potential in B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases through selective depletion of pathogenic B cells.

The transaction marks the second out-licensing of a TCE platform asset by Simcere, reinforcing the company’s strategy of leveraging in-house R&D and external partnerships across its core therapeutic areas: neuroscience, oncology, autoimmune disorders and anti-infectives.