Innovent and Lilly Expand China Oncology Partnership with Verzenios Commercialisation Agreement

01 July 2026 | Wednesday | News


Innovent will lead the import, marketing and distribution of Verzenios in mainland China, strengthening access to the nationally reimbursed breast cancer therapy while Lilly continues manufacturing, supply and product development.

Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major disease areas, and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY)  jointly announced that they have entered into a distribution and promotion agreement regarding Lilly's CDK4 & 6 inhibitor Verzenios® (abemaciclib) in mainland China:

  • Innovent will be responsible for the importation, marketing, distribution and promotion of Verzenios® (abemaciclib) in mainland China;
  • Lilly will continue to be responsible for manufacturing, supply, and development for the product.

Verzenios® (abemaciclib), developed by Lilly, is a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor that has been approved in China for multiple indications, including:

(1) Early Breast Cancer: in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
(2) Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer:
a) For the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer:

  • In combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy in postmenopausal women.
  • In combination with fulvestrant for patients who have experienced disease progression following prior endocrine therapy.

b) In combination with imlunestrant: for the treatment of adult patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have previously received endocrine therapy.

The product was included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) Class B in 2021, becoming the first CDK4 & 6 inhibitor covered by national reimbursement in China. In 2025, it successfully renewed its NRDL listing, achieving full coverage across both early and advanced breast cancer indications.

Under the agreement, Innovent will hold sole commercialization rights for Verzenios® (abemaciclib) in mainland China, while Lilly, as the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), will continue to be responsible for manufacturing, supply, and ongoing product development. This collaboration combines Innovent's experienced oncology commercialization team and extensive market reach in China with Lilly's expertise in innovative medicine development and lifecycle management, further enhancing access to this important therapy and benefiting more breast cancer patients across the country.

Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Innovent, stated: "We are delighted to further deepen our strategic partnership with Lilly through this eighth collaboration, bringing the number of our partnered, on-market products in China to seven. This also marks the 19th product in Innovent's portfolio. Enhancing patient access to high-quality, innovative medicines has always been at the core of Innovent's mission. Leveraging our established commercial infrastructure and strong market presence in China, we remain focused on addressing critical unmet needs in major oncology indications. Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent and life–threatening malignancies among women, is a strategic priority within Innovent's oncology portfolio. Through this commercial collaboration with Lilly on Verzenios® (abemaciclib) – backed by its robust clinical efficacy, comprehensive labeled indications and national reimbursement coverage – we are expanding our presence in this area, laying a solid foundation for our pipeline development and market expansion deliver lasting benefits to patients in breast cancer."

Huzur Devletsah, Lilly Group Vice President and China General Manager, said: "For 150 years, Lilly has remained committed to putting health above all, advancing human health through scientific innovation and expanding access through collaboration. This agreement for Verzenios® (abemaciclib) is an important step in strengthening patient access in China, combining Lilly's global R&D expertise with Innovent's commercialization capabilities in China. Looking ahead, Lilly will continue to advance its oncology efforts in China. Since the beginning of this year, we have secured approvals for one new medicine (with two indications) and two new additional indications for on market products in China, including Inluriyo®, which has become the first and currently only approved precision therapy in China only targeting ESR1-mutated advanced breast cancer, accelerating the introduction of globally innovative therapies and addressing unmet medical needs."

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