Evogene, Shanghai Lishan Biopharmaceuticals enter BMC128 licensing agreement

Evogene (EVGN) and Shanghai Lishan Biopharmaceuticals announced that Biomica, Evogene’s subsidiary and Lishan Biotech entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement for BMC128, a microbiome-based therapeutic designed to enhance anti-tumor immune activity. BMC128 was developed by Biomica and is currently completing a Phase 1 clinical study, showing promising early clinical results. BMC128 is a live biopharmaceutical consortium composed of four human gut bacterial strains with defined functional capabilities that enhance responses to immunotherapy and stimulate anti-tumor immune activity. BMC128 is currently completing a Phase 1 clinical study in renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer and has demonstrated encouraging early clinical promise. Under the agreement, Lishan Biotech will assume responsibility for global clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of BMC128. Biomica will be eligible to receive development milestone payments and royalties on future commercial sales, in accordance with an agreed-upon schedule. Lishan Biotech plans to advance BMC128 into a Phase 2 clinical study and to pursue regulatory filings in both China and the United States for future commercialization.