$570M Deal: MediLink Therapeutics Licenses YL201 B7H3 ADC to Roche

On January 9, MediLink Therapeutics announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Roche for its YL201 B7H3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), advancing the development and commercialization of the therapy across multiple solid tumor indications.

Under the terms of the agreement, MediLink Therapeutics grants Roche exclusive rights outside Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau to develop, manufacture, and commercialize YL201. MediLink Therapeutics will receive $570 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, along with additional development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. The agreement also includes tiered royalties on net sales once YL201 is approved overseas.

This partnership builds on the success of the 2024 collaboration between MediLink and Roche on YL211, a c-Met-targeted ADC, further strengthening the alliance between the two companies.

YL201 is developed using MediLink Therapeutics’ TMALIN® platform, a tumor microenvironment-cleavable camptothecin-based linker technology. Globally, YL201 is currently in clinical trials for multiple advanced solid tumors. In China, it has entered Phase III trials for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), showing promising early efficacy and survival benefits in second-line SCLC patients.

Notably, in June 2025, the U.S. FDA granted YL201 Breakthrough Therapy designation for SCLC, complementing its three Orphan Drug designations in SCLC, NPC, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BIOCHINA2026 Spotlight

Tongtong Xue, CEO of MediLink Therapeutics, will discuss global strategies for Chinese pharma and biotech companies at the BiOBD Forum on March 12. The session will feature industry leaders including YuLan Feng from Fosun Pharma and Mingjiu Chen from Biosion.

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