Benzinga | Nov 8, 2021 08:19AM EST

I-Mab, Roche Diagnostics Announce Strategic Collaboration To Co-Develop Companion Diagnostics Solutions For I-Mab's Innovative Pipeline At 4th CIIE; Terms Not Disclosed

I-Mab (the "Company") (NASDAQ:IMAB), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel biologics, today announced that the Company has entered into a strategic collaboration with Roche Diagnostics, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics industry, to co-develop companion diagnostics (CDx) solutions for I-Mab's innovative pipeline, at the Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.



Companion diagnostics have become an important part of the innovative biologics R&D process. They are used to detect expression levels of proteins and mutated genes, and to help identify the right candidates among patients with different types of diseases. Using companion diagnostics can help innovative biotech companies improve R&D efficiency, ensure the effectiveness and safety of drugs, and control R&D costs.



Under this collaboration, the Company and Roche Diagnostics will jointly develop companion diagnostics solutions for the innovative assets under development by I-Mab to accelerate the research and development process of innovative biologics with cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment technologies.

"This collaboration further strengthens our R&D capabilities, marking yet another milestone on our journey to transform into a fully integrated global biopharmaceutical company," said Dr. Joan Shen, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab. "I believe Roche Diagnostics' world-leading CDx technology will complement I-Mab's innovation efforts and accelerate the clinical research and development of our innovative pipeline. We look forward to the collaboration between the two parties to benefit cancer patients."

"I-Mab is a pioneer in the field of innovative biopharmaceuticals in China, and its globally competitive pipeline is truly impressive," said Richard Yiu, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics China. "This collaboration with I-Mab will give full play to the advantages of both parties, accelerate the delivery of R&D innovation, and jointly bring transformative medicines to benefit cancer patients globally and in China."

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a trade fair held in autumn annually since 2018 in Shanghai, China. It is the world's first and largest import-themed national-level expo, and has become a major trade platform powering world economy. Statistics showed the volume of trade deals with a letter of intent totalled $201.6 billion in the expo from 2018 to 2020, which played an important role in promoting China's import expansion and helping foreign enterprises explore the Chinese market. Nearly 3,000 businesses from 127 countries and regions are attending the fourth CIIE, covering an offline exhibition area of 366,000 square meters.