Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (Henlius; 02696) announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration has approved investigational new drug (IND) applications for Phase 1 clinical trials of HLX319, a subcutaneous fixed-dose combination biosimilar of pertuzumab and trastuzumab. The company plans to initiate the trial on the Chinese mainland once operational requirements are met.
HLX319 integrates trastuzumab, pertuzumab and the company’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (HLXTE-HAase02). The product is being developed for adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer as well as for metastatic disease. Preclinical pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and toxicology studies showed high similarity between HLX319 and the reference pertuzumab-trastuzumab subcutaneous formulation, in line with guidance from Chinese, U.S. and EU regulators.
Market data from IQVIA MIDAS indicate that global sales of the reference subcutaneous pertuzumab-trastuzumab combination reached USD3.02 billion in 2025, underscoring the commercial potential if development and registration are successfully completed.
Henlius cautioned that successful development and commercialization of HLX319 remain subject to clinical outcomes and regulatory review, and advised shareholders and potential investors to exercise prudence when dealing in the company’s shares.
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