Radiance Biopharma Enters ROR1 Race with $15M Upfront Deal

Radiance Biopharma has made a significant move in the competitive ROR1-targeted therapy landscape, securing rights to a promising antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) from China's CSPC Megalith Biopharmaceutical. The deal, announced on February 19, 2025, involves a $15 million upfront payment and positions Radiance as a new challenger in a field currently led by pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co.

Deal Structure and Financial Terms

The agreement grants Radiance exclusive rights to SYS6005, CSPC Megalith's ROR1-directed ADC, in key markets including the United States and European Union. Beyond the initial $15 million payment, the deal includes:

• Up to $150 million in development and regulatory milestones
• Potential sales milestones exceeding $1 billion if the drug reaches the market

This structure reflects the high expectations for ROR1-targeted therapies and the competitive nature of the pharmaceutical landscape.

Clinical Development and Therapeutic Potential

SYS6005 recently received regulatory clearance in China to begin clinical trials, with CSPC identifying multiple potential indications:

• Blood cancers
• Ovarian cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer

The broad range of potential applications underscores the versatility of ROR1 as a therapeutic target and aligns with the approach taken by other companies in the space.

Competitive Landscape

Radiance's entry into the ROR1 race comes at a time of intense activity in this therapeutic area:

1. Merck & Co. leads the pack with its ROR1-directed ADC, reporting a 100% complete response rate in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and advancing to phase 3 trials.

2. Other notable players include:

   • CStone Pharmaceuticals: Entered clinical trials in 2022
   • Immunome: Initiated a phase 1 trial in February 2025
   • Ipsen: Acquired rights to a preclinical ADC in a recent deal

The field has seen significant investment, with Merck's $2.75 billion acquisition of VelosBio in 2020 setting a high bar for valuations in the space.

As the ROR1 race heats up, Radiance Biopharma's strategic move demonstrates the continuing interest in this promising target. With multiple companies advancing candidates through various stages of development, the coming years are likely to bring further insights into the potential of ROR1-directed therapies across a range of oncology indications.