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Fri 6 Nov 2026 EN
· · Single source ·Updated

Roche partners with Chinese startup Defand Therapeutics for molecular glue drug discovery

Roche and Chinese biotech firm Defand Therapeutics announced a new collaboration on Thursday to develop molecular glue medicines for cancer and immune-driven diseases.

STAT+: Roche inks drug discovery deal with Chinese biotech, focused on molecular glue medicines
File photo STAT+: Roche inks drug discovery deal with Chinese biotech, focused on molecular glue medicines Photo: STAT

Partnership focuses on new drug discovery

The agreement shifts from licensing existing clinical-stage medicines to enlisting the startup in discovering new ones. Roche will work with Defand to develop multiple drugs targeting cancer and immune-driven conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed, though a source suggested the deal could reach close to $1 billion.

Molecular glue therapies target specific proteins

These therapies are designed to create a sticky connection onto problematic proteins to destroy them. Development of such drugs has recently accelerated following data from Revolution Medicines showing improved survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients.

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· · Single source ·Updated

Roche partners with Chinese startup Defand Therapeutics for new drug discovery

Roche announced a partnership with Chinese biotech firm Defand Therapeutics to discover new medicines rather than just licensing existing candidates.

STAT+: Roche goes beyond licensing in deal with Chinese biotech
File photo STAT+: Roche goes beyond licensing in deal with Chinese biotech Photo: STAT

Shift from licensing to discovery

Pharma companies have recently focused on licensing drug candidates from China. Roche is changing this approach by collaborating with a startup to find new treatments. This move marks a different strategy than the usual licensing deals seen in recent years.

Focus on early stage research

The agreement allows Roche to work directly with Defand Therapeutics on developing novel therapies. This collaboration aims to expand their pipeline through early-stage discovery processes. The partnership represents a broader trend of international cooperation in biotechnology.

Reported by one outlet

Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.

Reported by

1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.