LEPU BIO-B (02157) has announced that in February 2023, KYM Biosciences Inc. and AstraZeneca entered into a global exclusive licensing agreement to develop and commercialize CMG901, also known as sonesitatug vedotin or AZD0901. This candidate drug is jointly developed by the company and Connhua through KYM. As of the announcement date, AstraZeneca has initiated a multicenter, randomized controlled Phase III clinical study named CLARITY-Gastric 02. The trial evaluates sonesitatug vedotin (AZD0901) in combination with capecitabine, with or without rilvegostomig, as a first-line treatment for Claudin 18.2-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, or esophageal adenocarcinoma. The study has completed dosing for the first participant. Under the terms and conditions of the licensing agreement, this milestone event triggered a payment totaling $45 million, which AstraZeneca has now paid. KYM is a joint venture established by LEPU BIO-B and Connhua, with ownership stakes of 30% and 70%, respectively. The joint venture primarily focuses on the development and commercialization of CMG901.