Dec 05, 2025｜2025
Henlius' PD-L1 ADC HLX43 Cervical Cancer Data Debuts as Proffered Paper at 2025 ESMO Asia
- The encouraging efficacy observed across multiple solid tumors corroborates the broad-spectrum anti-tumor potential of HLX43
- Phase 2 clinical data of HLX43 in advanced cervical cancer presented in Proffered Paper Session at the 2025 ESMO Asia
- Encouraging preliminary efficacy was observed, with an ORR of 41.4% and DCR of 82.8% in the overall population, rising to 70.0% and 100% in the 3 mg/kg group, alongside a manageable safety profile
Shanghai, China, December 5, 2025—Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (2696.HK) today announced that the results from a phase 2 proof of concept (POC) study of Henlius’ PD-L1 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) HLX43 in recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer were first presented in Proffered Paper Session at the 2025 ESMO Asia Congress. The results demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity, providing further evidence of its broad-spectrum antitumor activity, previously observed in non-small cell lung cancer and thymic carcinoma.
Promising CC Data Add to Growing Evidence for Broad-Spectrum Potential
Cervical cancer (CC) and other gynaecological cancer pose a serious threat to women's health [1-2], particularly with poor prognosis in advanced-stage patients. Approximately 30% of advanced CC patients experience disease recurrence after first-line combination therapy [3], with a 5-year survival rate of about 17% [4]. The objective response rate (ORR) of second-line chemotherapy, including docetaxel, is only around 13.2% [5]. Although PD-1 inhibitors and the tissue factor (TF)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) tisotumab vedotin have been approved, their efficacy in recurrent/metastatic CC after prior treatment remains limited, with ORR typically below 18% [6-9]. There is an urgent need for more effective therapeutic options with greater clinical benefits.
This open-label, randomised, multicentre phase 2 study was led by Academician Jinming Yu from the Shandong Cancer Hospital. Patients with histologically confirmed recurrent/metastatic CC who had previously failed, intolerant to, or contraindicated for standard first-line therapy were randomised 1:1:1 to receive HLX43 at 2 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, or 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The primary endpoints were investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival per RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints included other efficacy measures, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and biomarker explorations.
By the data cutoff date of September 1, 2025, 30 patients were enrolled and randomized to receive HLX43 at 2 mg/kg (n=10), 2.5 mg/kg (n=10) and 3 mg/kg (n=10). Over 80% of the patients had a PD-L1 combined positive score ≥ 1. The median line of prior antitumor therapy was 2.0 (range, 1–4). All patients received platinum-based chemotherapy, 60% received targeted therapy, approximately 50% received immunotherapy, and the median follow-up time was 3.5 months.
Among the 29 response evaluable patients, investigator-assessed ORR was 41.4% and disease control rate (DCR) was 82.8%. ORR, and DCR for the 3 mg/kg dose group was 70.0%, and 100%, respectively. The median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) has not yet been reached.
Subgroup analysis demonstrated that HLX43 exhibited promising preliminary efficacy in PD-L1 positivive(CPS≥1) advanced cervical cancer patients, with an ORR of 45.8% and a DCR of 87.5%, respectively. Notably, a signal of efficacy was also observed in PD-L1 negative (CPS <1) patients, with one patient in the 2 mg/kg dose group achieving partial response (PR). However, as the sample size of this study was limited and the population predominantly consisted of PD-L1 positive patients (>80%), these findings are preliminary. Further investigation in larger, randomized controlled trials is required to adequately characterize the efficacy of HLX43 in the PD-L1 negative subgroup.
In terms of safety, grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were reported in 18 (60.0%) patients, most commonly neutrophil count decreased (30.0%), anemia(30.0%) and lymphocyte count decreased (23.3%). Dose reductions due to TRAEs were reported in 6 patients (20.0%), with no TRAE-related treatment discontinuations and TRAE-related death. Immune-related adverse events were observed in 7 (23.3%) patients, primarily including endocrine disorder and rash. No grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were reported. This finding is supportive of an immunomodulatory mechanism of action for HLX43 and indicates a manageable and favorable immune-related safety profile.
HLX43, particularly at 3 mg/kg, exhibited promising efficacy and manageable safety in patients with previously treated recurrent/metastatic CC. Further investigation of HLX43 is warranted.
Compelling Efficacy in Lung Cancer Lays Foundation for Blockbuster Profile
HLX43 is a potential best-in-class as well best-in-disease broad-spectrum anti-tumor ADC candidate targeting PD-L1, which exhibits dual mechanisms integrating immune checkpoint blockade and payload-mediated cytotoxicity. Preclinical data has shown that, HLX43 has good anti-tumor effects and a favorable tolerability profile in NSCLC, cervical cancer (CC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and other tumor types that were PD-1/L1 mAb-resistant. The results from the phase 1 clinical trial of HLX43 were released at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting and 2025 WCLC, demonstrating manageable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in various solid tumors especially in patients with NSCLC, including squamous and non-squamous NSCLC patients (sqNSCLC and nsqNSCLC), patients with or without EGFR mutation, patients with or without brain metastasis, and PD-L1 positive or negative patients.
The company is currently accelerating the clinical development of HLX43. To date, over 500 patients enrolled globally for HLX43, including more than 270 patients with NSCLC. With its efficacy in later-line NSCLC being validated, Henlius plans to initiate additional Phase 3 clinical studies for HLX43 in lung cancer. These trials will encompass a second-line, head-to-head study comparing HLX43 against docetaxel, as well as explorations in first-line treatment and neoadjuvant therapy regimens. Meanwhile, as the first PD-L1 ADC developed for thymic carcinoma globally, HLX43 is advancing its international multi-center clinical trials concurrently in China, the U.S., Australia, etc. In October 2025, based on the compelling preliminary efficacy data from later-line settings in thymic carcinoma (TC), the U.S. FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to HLX43 for the treatment of Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), highlighting the drug's potential to address the significant unmet need for ADC therapies in this disease.
In addition to NSCLC and TC, Henlius is actively exploring HLX43's therapeutic potential in various solid tumors. The company has initiated about 10 clinical studies for HLX43, covering CC, ESCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Proof-of-concept (PoC) results in ESCC, NPC and G/GEJ are also expected to be released on the upcoming international academic conferences including the ASCO Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium, ASCO and ESMO. Building on its intrinsic immuno-oncology (IO) activity, Henlius is exploring combination therapies, such as with the in-house anti-EGFR antibody HLX07, to maximize HLX43's clinical value.
Guided by its commitment to address unmet medical needs, Henlius will continue to advance its core pipeline including HLX43 to deepen the differentiated therapeutic potential of our products, accelerate the delivery of greater clinical value, and ultimately deliver more breakthrough treatment options to patients worldwide.
References
[1] Siegel RL，Giaquinto AN，Jemal A.Cancer statistics，2024.CA Cancer J Clin.2024;74(1):12-49.doi:10.3322/caac.21820
[2] Han B，Zheng R，Zeng H，et al.Cancer incidence and mortality in China，2022.J Natl Cancer Cent.2024;4(1):47-53. Published 2024 Feb 2.doi:10.1016/j.jncc.2024.01.006
[3] Gennigens C, et al. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2021 Jun;21(6):657-671.
[4] Marret G, et al. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2019 Sep;19(9):871-877.
[5] McLachlan J, et al. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2017 Mar;29(3):153-160.
[6] Chung, H. C. et al. Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in previously treated advanced cervical cancer: results from the phase II KEYNOTE-158 study. J. Clin. Oncol. 37, 1470–1478 (2019).
[7] Tewari, K. S. et al. Survival with cemiplimab in recurrent cervical cancer. N. Engl. J. Med. 386, 544–555 (2022).
[8] Naumann, R. W. et al. Safety and efficacy of nivolumab monotherapy in recurrent or metastatic cervical, vaginal, or vulvar carcinoma: results from the phase I/II checkMate 358 trial. J. Clin.Oncol. 37, 2825–2834 (2019).
[9] Vergote I, et al. NEJM. 2024 Jul; 391(1):44-55. ADC, antibody-drug conjugate; CC, cervical cancer; DAR, drug-antibody ratio; mPFS, median progression-free survival; ORR, objective response rate; PD-L1, programmed cell death-ligand 1; TME, tumour microenvironment; Top1, topoisomerase 1.
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Privacy Policy
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Privacy Policy
Introduction
Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc., and, where applicable, its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “we” , “us” or “our”) attach great importance to the protection of your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Notice (this “Policy”) is formulated in accordance with applicable PRC laws and regulations governing the protection of personal information in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).
This Policy applies when: (1) you browse or use our website and other online resources (such as our WeChat official accounts); (2) subscribe to our news or announcements; or (3) contact us through the contact details or other interactive features made available on our website, or otherwise interact with us through our website.. The purpose of this Policy is to explain how and why we process your personal information, the types of personal information involved, applicable retention periods, your rights, and the measures we take to protect personal information. Please read this Policy carefully to ensure that you fully understand its content.
In certain business scenarios, we may provide additional explanations regarding the processing of your personal information through separate agreements, privacy statements, or personal information notices. In the event of any inconsistency, such documents shall prevail. For example, where a recruitment function is provided through a third-party platform or service, the relevant third party privacy policy or notice may also apply.
For the purposes of this Policy, “personal information” refers to all kinds of information related to identified or identifiable natural persons, excluding anonymized information.
We collect, use, store, transfer and otherwise process personal information in strict compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China.
Our website may contain links to third party websites for your convenience. We do not control, and are not responsible for, the privacy practices of such third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before using those websites.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Policy or our processing of personal information, please contact us using the details provided below.
This Policy will help you understand:
I. How we collect your personal information
II. How we use your personal information
III. How we entrust, share, transfer and publicly disclose your personal information
IV. Cross border transfer of personal information
V. How we store your personal information
VI. Security measures
VII. Your rights
VIII. Personal information of minors
IX. Updates to this Policy
X. How to contact us
I. How do we collect your personal information?
In addition to our employees, we may process personal information of the following persons:
• Visitors and users of our website;
• Healthcare Professionals;
• Investigators of clinical trial institutions and personnel of contract research organizations in clinical trials;
• Subjects of clinical trials and their relatives;
• Consumers/patients and their relatives using our products or services;
• Staff of business partners (including vendors, distributors, partners, etc.); and
• Our applicants.
We may process personal information of website visitors and individuals who contact or interact with us through our website or other online resources. Depending on the relevant page, function, or interaction, separate privacy notices, consents, platform privacy policies, contracts, or other notices may apply.
Based on the context in which you interact with us, we may collect personal information by the following means and on the legal bases permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations, including your consent, the necessity for entering into or performing a contract, compliance with legal obligations, protection of life, health or property, public health needs, or other circumstances permitted by law:
• Your personal information provided to us voluntarily
When you subscribe to our news or announcements, contact us through the contact details or other interactive features made available on our website, a third-party platform or service linked or referred to on our website, or otherwise communicate with us in relation to our website, we may collect the personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, contact details, organization, and the content of your inquiry or request, depending on the relevant page or function.
• Personal information collected by us independently through our website and other online channels
When you visit our website, most of our services do not require any registration, and you can visit our website without telling us who you are. However, some pages or functions may require you to provide certain personal information. If you choose not provide such information as we request, you may not be able to access certain content or functions or we may not be able to respond to your inquiry, request or subscription. Please refer to the relevant page or notice for further details about the categories of personal information collected in a specific scenario.
• Personal information we collect from vendors or business partners
In the course of our daily business operations, we may collect personal information from our vendors or business partners. We require our vendors and business partners to comply with the requirements of the personal information protection laws and regulations of the PRC and to lawfully provide us with personal information. If you are an employee or representative of one of our vendors or business partners, we may collect personal information such as your name and contact details for the purpose of establishing business contacts and cooperations.
• Personal information we collect from publicly available sources
We may collect personal information of medical and healthcare professionals from such publicy available sources, such as the official websites of medical institutions and the official websites of competent government departments, and process such information within a reasonable scope and for lawful purposes. For example, for the purpose of lawful academic or professional interaction with healthcare professionals, we may collect the name, gender, employer, position, practitioner registration information, academic title, degree, educational background, specialty expertise, and profile information, where such information has been lawfully made public.
Our website may include links, contact details, QR codes, or references to third-party platforms or services. Where you choose to interact with us through such third-party platforms or services, the relevant third party may also process your personal information in accordance with its own privacy policy and applicable law, and we encourage you to review such policy before submitting your information.
II. How do we use your personal information?
We may use your personal information for the following purposes:
• Operating, maintaining and improving our website and other online resource;
• Researching, developing, providing and continuously improving our products and services;
• Conducting and managing daily business;
• Academic interaction with healthcare professionals;
• Responding to your inquiries, requests, or communications sent through our website or the contact details made available on our website;
• Providing subscription services for our news, announcements, or investor-related updates;
• Managing and maintaining our relationship and communications with business contacts who reach us through our website;
• Recruiting and human resource management;
• Internal compliance management，audit，record-keeping; and
• Complying with applicable PRC laws and regulations, for example, monitoring and reporting adverse events for purposes of performing drug quality management responsibilities, providing medical information and dealing with product complaints, etc..
We will process personal information only to the extent necessary for the relevant purpose. Where required by applicable law, we will obtain your consent or separate consent before processing your personal information or sensitive personal information. Where a third-party platform or service is used in connection with a particular function, the relevant third party may process your personal information in accordance with its own privacy policy and applicable law.
III. How do we entrust, share, transfer and publicly disclose your personal information?
1. Entrustment
We may entrust our business partners with the processing of your personal information for the purpose(s) described in this Policy. We will enter into appropriate confidentiality, data processing and security agreements with such entrusted parties and require them to process personal information in accordance with our instructions , this Policy and applicable PRC laws and regulations.
2. Sharing and public disclosure
For the purpose(s) described in this Policy, we will share or publicly disclose your personal information only where permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations and, where required, after obtaining your consent or separate consent. Such circumstances may include:
• Sharing your personal information among our affiliates and subsidiaries where necessary for legitimate business, management, compliance, or operational purposes;
• Sharing your personal information with vendors or business partners (such as conference service providers, travel service providers, data service providers, banking or insurance institutions, other professional service organizations, to the extent necessary for the relevant purpose); and
• Disclosing your personal information to the extent that it is permitted or required by applicable PRC laws and regulations or for the purpose of assisting with investigations by judicial, regulatory or law enforcement authorities.
• other circumstances permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations.
If you submit your information through or in connection with a third-party platform or service referred to on our website, the relevant third party may independently process your personal information in accordance with its own privacy policy and applicable law.
3. Transfer
We will not transfer your personal information to any other company, entity or individual unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and, where required, after obtaining your consent. Further, in the event of a merger, acquisition, insolvency, reorganization, division, dissolution, bankruptcy, or similar transaction, we will require the new processor of your personal information to continue to be bound by this Policy or we will require the new processor to obtain your consent again.
IV.How do we provide your personal information across borders?
In principle, personal information that we collect and generate in the course of our operations within the territory of the PRC will be stored within the PRC. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary for us to provide your personal information to recipients outside the PRC in connection with our business operations, website functions, or communications, where permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations. As required by applicable laws and regulations regarding the protection of personal information, we will provide you with the required notice and obtain your separate consent before providing your personal information across any border, unless otherwise permitted by law. We will use lawful cross-border transfer mechanisms to transfer your personal information oversea and will take necessary measures to ensure that the oversea recipients provide a level of protection required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.
You may obtain more information about cross-border transfers of personal information and oversea recipients through the contact methods referred to in this Policy.
V. How do we store your personal information?
We will retain your personal information for the minimum period necessary to achieve the purposes described in this Policy ,unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations. Upon expiration of the applicable retention period, we will promptly delete or anonymize your personal information in accordance with applicable PRC laws and regulations. Our criteria for determining the period for which personal information shall be retained include:
• Applicable laws, regulations and other relevant requirements;
• The period of time needed for us to provide services, maintain business relations or interact with you; and
• The period of time needed for us to perform relevant agreements or fulfil the purposes described in this Policy.
VI. What security measures do we take to protect your personal information?
In accordance with applicable PRC laws, regulations, and the requirements of relevant national standards, we take reasonable and appropriate security and precautionary measures to protect the personal information we process against unauthorized access, public disclosure, use, modification, destruction or loss of data. However, you are also responsible for taking appropriate measures to protect the security of the devices, systems, and networks you use when accessing our website or communicating with us.
VII. Your rights
In accordance with the requirements of the applicable PRC laws and regulations, you may have the following rights in respect of your personal information:
• To know about and make decisions regarding the processing of your personal information;
• To access or copy your personal information;
• To correct or supplement your personal information;
• To delete your personal information;
• To request for explanation of rules regarding processing of personal information; and
• To change the scope of your consent or revoke your consent , where processing is based on your consent.
If you wish to exercise your rights with respect to personal information, you may contact us through the contact information listed in this Policy and we will respond to any request in accordance with applicable relevant laws and regulations. When you exercise the above rights, we may verify your identity to safeguard the security of your personal information. Subject to applicable PRC laws and regulations, there may be circumstances where we are unable to respond to all or part of your request.
VIII. How do we process the personal information of minors?
For the purposes of this Policy and in accordance with applicable PRC laws and regulations, our products, websites and services are not targeted at minors under the age of 14. Minors under the age of 14 should not provide personal information to us without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
If a minor's personal information is collected with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, we will process the information only when permitted by law, with the express consent of the parent or legal guardian, or necessary for the protection of the minor. If we discover that we have collected personal information without obtaining verifiable prior consent of a parent or legal guardian, we will seek to delete the data as soon as possible.
IX. Updates of the Policy
We may revise our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on our website and update the “Last Updated” date above or below this Policy.
Last updated: March 30, 2026.
X. How to contact us?
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions concerning this Policy, or any questions or concerns about our processing of your personal information, you may contact us in the following ways:
Address: 11/F, B8 Building, No.188 Yizhou Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Tel.: 021- 33395800
Postal Code: 200233
Email: PR@178xian.com
Cookies Policy
When you visit our website, we may place small data files known as “cookies” on your device. Cookies enable our website to recognize your browser and help us understand how visitors use the site.
Cookies and similar technologies used on this website may collect online identifiers, device information, browser information, IP address, and information about how you interact with the website. In certain circumstances, such information may constitute personal information or may be associated with you under applicable PRC laws and regulations. Information collected through cookies is used for purposes such as ensuring website operation, maintaining security, analyzing traffic and performance, remembering user preferences, and improving website content and user experience.
You may choose to accept or decline cookies by adjusting your browser settings or through any cookie banner or preference center made available on our website, if applicable. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of the website.
For more information about how we process personal information, please refer to our Privacy Notice.
Some cookies may be provided by third parties. Where third-party cookies or similar technologies are used, such third parties may process the relevant information in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable PRC laws and regulations.
Accessibility
Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (“Henlius”) is committed to improving the accessibility and user friendliness of its website for all visitors.
We strive to ensure that the content on our website can be accessed and used by individuals with diverse needs, including those who rely on assistive technologies. As our website continues to evolve, we recognize that accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we are continuously working to improve usability and accessibility across our digital platforms.
If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our website, or have suggestions on how we can enhance accessibility, we welcome your feedback. To help us respond effectively, please include the specific webpage address (URL) and a brief description of the issue encountered.
Contact us:
Email: PR@178xian.com
(Please include “Website Accessibility” in the subject line)
Henlius will make reasonable efforts to review accessibility-related feedback and improve the overall online experience for all users. While we strive to improve accessibility, we do not guarantee that every page or feature will be fully accessible to every user in all circumstances.
Terms of Use
This website (http://www.178xian.com/) is developed and operated by Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (“Henlius”). Please read these Terms of Use carefully before accessing or using this website. By accessing, browsing or using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Terms of Use and applicable PRC laws and regulations.
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You shall not infringe the lawful rights and interests of Henlius or any third party, nor interfere with or attempt to interfere with the normal operation, security, or integrity of this website by any means. Without limitation, you shall not use this website for any unlawful purpose, attempt unauthorized access to any part of the website or related systems, introduce malicious code, scrape or extract website content through automated means, or otherwise interfere with the website’s operation or security features.
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations, Henlius makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, regarding the content of this website, including but not limited to accuracy, completeness, timeliness or suitability for any particular purpose. Henlius does not undertake any obligation to update the content of this website , except as otherwise required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.
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Henlius respects your privacy. Please refer to our Privacy Notice for details.
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Last updated: March 30, 2026
