Senhwa Biosciences and BeOne Medicines Form Strategic Clinical Supply Agreement
Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for hard-to-treat cancers, has announced a pivotal clinical supply agreement with BeOne Medicines, a leading global oncology company. This agreement supports a global, multi-center Phase 1b/2a clinical trial that aims to evaluate Senhwa's lead compound, Pidnarulex (CX-5461), in combination with BeOne's tislelizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor. The study will focus on patients suffering from advanced solid tumors, notably pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-refractory melanoma.
Significance of the Agreement for Senhwa Biosciences
This clinical supply agreement marks a monumental milestone for ONC as CX-5461 enters the immuno-oncology arena. The collaboration emphasizes Senhwa's commitment to advancing combination therapies that can overcome the limitations of current immunotherapies, ultimately providing hope for cancer patients globally.
Chairman’s Insights on the Partnership
“This agreement represents a major step forward for Senhwa as we expand into the heart of immuno-oncology,” stated Benny T. Hu, Chairman of Senhwa Biosciences. “By leveraging the unique mechanism of action of CX-5461 in modulating the tumor microenvironment, we hope to discover and establish new treatment options for patients who currently have limited benefit from existing therapies. This partnership will also enhance our international recognition and build long-term strategic value for the company,” he added.
Operational Framework of the Study
As part of the agreement, BeOne Medicines will supply tislelizumab for the combination study, while Senhwa is responsible for providing CX-5461 and will lead the clinical and regulatory operations. The study aims to enroll patients across multiple sites in the United States and Taiwan, assessing the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of the combination of CX-5461 and tislelizumab.
Innovative Mechanism of CX-5461
Developed by Senhwa, CX-5461 is the world’s first G-quadruplex stabilizer with noteworthy clinical data. This novel therapeutic class is designed to selectively disrupt genomic stability in tumor cells by inducing replication stress. Recent findings suggest that CX-5461 not only has direct cytotoxic activity but can also modify the tumor microenvironment, enhancing immune recognition and response.
Transforming Cold Tumors into Hot Ones
By converting immunologically “cold” tumors into “hot” ones, CX-5461 has the potential to sensitize previously resistant tumors to checkpoint blockade, thereby broadening the clinical utility of immunotherapy. This "cold-to-hot" tumor concept represents a significant frontier in cancer immunology, with CX-5461 positioning Senhwa as a key player in enhancing the efficacy of FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors, which currently exhibit only 20-30% response rates.
Global Trends in the Immunotherapy Market
The global cancer immunotherapy market is projected to expand substantially, growing from USD 136.4 billion in 2025 to USD 338.4 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.65%, according to Precedence Research. Grand View Research also forecasts that the broader immunotherapy market will surpass USD 486 billion by 2030.
Strategic Position of Senhwa Biosciences
As major pharmaceutical companies approach a significant patent cliff, particularly with the immune checkpoint inhibitor KEYTRUDA® set to lose exclusivity in 2028, the industry is intensifying efforts to secure next-generation immuno-oncology assets through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. With its diverse pipeline and ongoing collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), coupled with the recent agreement with BeOne Medicines, Senhwa Biosciences is ideally positioned at the intersection of scientific innovation and global capital markets. The company aims to be at the forefront of the evolution and innovation in precision medicine and immuno-oncology, driving sustainable growth and long-term value for stakeholders.
About Senhwa Biosciences, Inc.
Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492) is a Taiwan-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics in the fields of oncology and rare diseases. The company’s lead asset, CX-5461 (Pidnarulex), is a pioneering G-quadruplex stabilizer currently in clinical development across North America and Asia. Senhwa is dedicated to transforming scientific innovations into groundbreaking therapies that enhance treatment outcomes for patients worldwide.
For more information, visit www.senhwabio.com.
Source: Senhwa Biosciences, Inc.