The ranks of B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugates under development in China have seen their first dropout, although elsewhere there are two FGFR2b-directed ADCs with first-in-class potential on the horizon. Meanwhile, there have been other discontinuations of KRAS G12C inhibitors and anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapies in the country, while new players have surfaced in the areas of mRNA cancer vaccines and amyloid-beta-targeting antibodies for Alzheimer’s disease.

The company announced a series B-2 financing of $158m that it plans to use for pivotal Phase II development of TORL-1-23, which it called a first-in-class agent.

The second-line indication comes with safety labeling recently approved for BCMA-targeted CAR-T competitor Abecma, particularly around increased early mortality and secondary malignancies.

The US FDA approved Abecma for multiple myeloma after two prior lines of therapy, while the agency was also expected to imminently decide on earlier-line approval for J&J/Legend’s Carvykti.