Suzhou, China, January 9, 2026 – Yilian Bio today announced a new exclusive licensing agreement with Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) for its YL201 project, which will jointly advance the development and commercialization of this innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting B7H3 in multiple solid tumor indications.
Under the terms of the agreement, Yilian Bio will grant Roche the exclusive rights worldwide (excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR) to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the YL201 project. Yilian Bio will receive an upfront payment of US$570 million plus near-term milestone payments, and will be entitled to additional development, registration, and commercialization milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties based on net sales following overseas approval of YL201.
This exclusive licensing agreement for the YL201 project builds upon the successful collaboration initiated by both parties in January 2024 regarding the YL211 (c-Met ADC) project. Yilian Bio and Roche will further deepen their cooperation to jointly advance the development of the YL201 project. Through this collaboration, both parties will leverage their respective strengths to accelerate the global registration and application process for the YL201 project. Based on a shared commitment to scientific innovation and patient well-being, Yilian and Roche are dedicated to bringing this promising innovative therapy to patients as soon as possible.
Dr. Xue Tongtong, founder, chairman and CEO of Yilian Bio, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Roche again. We are impressed by Roche’s outstanding expertise in the global clinical development of its oncology pipeline. We look forward to working together to advance the development of the YL201 project and accelerate its benefits to patients worldwide.”
Dr. Chia-Chiang Tsai, co-founder, co-CEO, and chief scientific officer of Yilian Bio, stated, “The YL201 project has demonstrated encouraging clinical data, and this collaboration with Roche is a key step in its global development process. As one of the core assets of our proprietary TMALIN® technology platform, the YL201 project will gain the resources and channels needed to advance its globalization through this agreement, and is expected to become a new option for treating unmet clinical needs in patients with various solid tumors.”
Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Global Corporate Business Development at Roche, stated regarding the collaboration: “Our in-depth collaboration with Alink Biotech on the YL201 project fully demonstrates Roche’s commitment to introducing cutting-edge global innovations to address unmet patient needs, particularly in our strategically important areas such as oncology and lung cancer. We are delighted to combine Roche’s proven experience in global development and commercialization with Alink Biotech’s expertise in ADCs to jointly advance this promising therapy and benefit more patients.”

The YL201 project is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting B7H3, developed using Yilian Bio's proprietary tumor microenvironment-cleavable camptothecin toxoid linker platform (TMALIN®) . Currently, the YL201 project is conducting clinical trials globally for various advanced solid tumors. In China, YL201 has entered two Phase III registration clinical trials for small cell lung cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Early clinical data in second-line small cell lung cancer patients have demonstrated excellent objective response rates and survival benefits. In June 2025, the US FDA granted YL201 Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of small cell lung cancer. Prior to this, YL201 had received three Orphan Drug Designations from the US FDA, including for small cell lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Founded in 2020, Yilian Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative conjugate drugs. Yilian Bio has independently developed the differentiated TMALIN® technology platform, whose diversity and efficacy have been continuously validated in preclinical studies and ongoing global clinical trials through 13 clinical-stage ADC candidates. Yilian Bio is dedicated to providing better treatment options for patients worldwide to meet unmet medical needs. The company is headquartered in Suzhou, with R&D offices in Shanghai, Boston, and Singapore.

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