Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly and Company 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, while Lilly will continue to be responsible for manufacturing, supply, and development for the product.

Verzenios (abemaciclib), developed by Lilly, is a CDK4/6 inhibitor approved in China for multiple breast cancer indications. It is indicated in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) as adjuvant treatment for adults with Hormone Receptor (HR)-positive, Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.

The therapy is also approved for HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as first-line endocrine therapy in post-menopausal women, or with fulvestrant in patients whose disease has progressed following prior endocrine therapy. Additionally, Verzenios is approved in combination with imlunestrant for the treatment of adults 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.

Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Innovent, stated, "We are delighted to further deepen our strategic partnership with Lilly through this 8th collaboration, bringing the number of our partnered, on-market products in China to 7. 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."

Under the agreement, Innovent will hold sole commercialisation 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 commercialisation 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.

Huzur Devletsah, Vice President (VP) and China General Manager, Lilly Group, 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 commercialisation 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 1 new medicine (with two indications) and 2 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."