Transcenta

About Transcenta

Transcenta Holding Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company operating on a global scale with fully integrated capabilities across the biotherapeutics value chain, from discovery and research to development and manufacturing. The company was formally established in January 2019 through the strategic merger of MabSpace Biosciences, founded in 2012, and HJB (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., founded in 2016. This merger brought together MabSpace's expertise in antibody discovery and clinical research with HJB's specialized capabilities in bioprocessing and manufacturing. The founders, Dr. Xueming Qian and Dr. Jonathan Y. Zhao, who had previously worked together at Amgen, combined their complementary strengths to create a vertically integrated entity. Dr. Qian's MabSpace focused on discovery but outsourced manufacturing, while Dr. Zhao's HJB excelled in process development but lacked a discovery pipeline. A significant milestone was achieved on September 29, 2021, when Transcenta was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 06628, raising approximately US$83 million.

Transcenta's business model is centered on developing and commercializing a portfolio of antibody-based therapeutics for oncology and selected non-oncology areas, including bone and kidney disorders. As a pre-revenue clinical-stage company, its current focus is on advancing its drug candidates through clinical trials to obtain regulatory approval. The company leverages its proprietary Immune Tolerance Breaking (IMTB) technology platform to discover antibody candidates with diverse epitope targets and enhanced properties. A key component of its strategy is the use of advanced manufacturing technologies, including an Integrated Continuous Bioprocessing (ICB) platform being co-developed with Merck KGaA, and modular GMP facilities (T-BLOC), to accelerate development and reduce production costs.

The company's product pipeline features approximately 15 therapeutic antibody molecules. Its lead candidate, Osemitamab (TST001), is a monoclonal antibody targeting Claudin18.2 for the treatment of solid tumors, such as gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) and pancreatic cancers. Osemitamab is currently in global Phase III pivotal trials as a first-line treatment for G/GEJ cancer in combination with chemotherapy and Nivolumab, a PD-1 inhibitor. Other key pipeline assets include Blosozumab (TST002), an antibody for osteoporosis in-licensed from Eli Lilly, and TST005, a PD-L1/TGF-β bispecific antibody. The pipeline targets a variety of mechanisms, including agents that modulate the tumor microenvironment. Transcenta serves a global market, with clinical development centers in China and the US, and pursues a strategy of developing medicines that meet international standards.