Roche signs $1.53 billion licensing deal with Simcere for preclinical B-cell antibody

Roche announced a licensing agreement with China's Simcere Zaiming, paying $75 million upfront and potentially up to $1.53 billion in total, for worldwide rights to a preclinical trispecific antibody known as SIM0660.

SIM0660 is designed to engage T cells via CD3 while simultaneously targeting the B‑cell markers CD79a and CD19, aiming to kill diseased B cells with reduced cytokine release.

The deal gives Roche exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the candidate, and Simcere will receive tiered royalties that could reach double‑digit percentages on future sales.

Roche highlighted the partnership as part of its strategy to bring new therapeutic options to patients with B‑cell‑mediated diseases, including those who have previously received CD20 or CD19 therapies.