SAN FRANCISCO, USA and SUZHOU, China, August 9, 2026
Innovent Biologics and Daiichi Sankyo have entered into an exclusive agreement to commercialize VANFLYTA® (quizartinib) in China, expanding Innovent’s hematology portfolio and supporting broader access to targeted treatment for adults with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Under the agreement, Daiichi Sankyo will remain responsible for VANFLYTA development, manufacturing and supply, while Innovent will hold exclusive commercialization rights in China and lead market promotion. The collaboration combines Daiichi Sankyo’s pharmaceutical development capabilities with Innovent’s established commercial infrastructure in China, with the companies aiming to accelerate access to VANFLYTA for patients with this high-risk form of AML.
Innovent Adds VANFLYTA to Its Oncology Portfolio
VANFLYTA was approved in China in June 2026 for adults with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive AML. The approved treatment uses VANFLYTA in combination with standard cytarabine and anthracycline induction chemotherapy, followed by cytarabine consolidation and maintenance monotherapy after consolidation chemotherapy. The approval was based on findings from the QuANTUM-First clinical trial, supporting the use of quizartinib as a targeted treatment option for patients whose AML carries the FLT3-ITD mutation. For Innovent, the commercialization agreement represents another step in expanding its hematology and oncology franchise. The company said VANFLYTA will become the 20th product in its commercialized portfolio, complementing marketed therapies that include TYVYT® (sintilimab), HALPRYZA® (rituximab), olverembatinib, FUCASO® (equecabtagene autoleucel) and Jaypirca® (pirtobrutinib). The addition is expected to strengthen Innovent’s position in hematologic cancers while providing another targeted therapy for a genetically defined patient population.
VANFLYTA Targets FLT3-ITD in AML
Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive blood cancer that predominantly affects adults, and specific genetic alterations can influence disease biology, prognosis and treatment selection. FLT3 mutations are among the most common molecular abnormalities identified in AML, with approximately 80% of FLT3 mutations reported to be FLT3-ITD alterations. FLT3-ITD mutations occur in approximately 25% of AML cases and are associated with increased cancer-cell proliferation, higher relapse risk and shorter overall survival. VANFLYTA (quizartinib) is an oral, highly potent type II FLT3 inhibitor that targets FLT3-ITD mutations, providing a biomarker-directed treatment approach for eligible patients. The development and commercialization of targeted therapies such as quizartinib highlight the increasing importance of molecular diagnostics in AML, where identifying specific genetic abnormalities can help guide treatment decisions. The China approval therefore establishes VANFLYTA as an additional treatment option within a patient population characterized by a high-risk molecular subtype.
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Innovent and Daiichi Sankyo Strengthen China Access
The agreement establishes a complementary division of responsibilities between Innovent Biologics and Daiichi Sankyo. Daiichi Sankyo will oversee development, manufacturing and supply of VANFLYTA, while Innovent will have sole commercialization rights in China and lead market promotion. The companies said their combined capabilities could help accelerate availability of the medicine for patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive AML. For Daiichi Sankyo, the collaboration supports its strategy of bringing innovative treatments to patients in China through partnerships that leverage local commercial expertise. For Innovent, VANFLYTA further diversifies its growing oncology and hematology business and expands its portfolio of innovative medicines. The company has established partnerships with multiple global healthcare organizations and maintains a pipeline spanning cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, autoimmune conditions and ophthalmology. The new agreement also reflects the broader trend toward strategic pharmaceutical commercialization partnerships, in which global drug developers combine innovative assets with regional market capabilities to improve access to specialized therapies. As VANFLYTA moves into commercial promotion under Innovent, the collaboration will focus on supporting access for appropriately diagnosed patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive AML in China.
Source: Innovent Biologics, Daiichi Sankyo press release
