Zai Lab Announces Global Clinical Trial Collaboration

Biotech firm partners to evaluate new cancer treatment

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:55pm

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Zai Lab, a biopharmaceutical company, has announced a global clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement to evaluate a novel DLL3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for the treatment of small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors. The collaboration will involve multiple clinical trial sites across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Why it matters

This partnership represents an important step forward in the development of new targeted cancer therapies, which are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options, so a novel ADC approach could provide a much-needed new therapy.

The details

Under the agreement, Zai Lab will work with an unnamed global pharmaceutical partner to conduct a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of the DLL3-targeted ADC. The trial will enroll patients with small cell lung cancer, as well as other solid tumors that express DLL3. Zai Lab will be responsible for manufacturing and supplying the investigational ADC for the global clinical program.

  • The clinical trial collaboration was announced on April 1, 2026.

The players

Zai Lab

A biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies in oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neuroscience.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to partner with a leading global pharmaceutical company to advance the development of this novel DLL3-targeted ADC, which has the potential to address significant unmet medical needs in small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors.”

— Samantha Chen, Chief Executive Officer, Zai Lab

What’s next

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is expected to begin enrolling patients in the coming months.

The takeaway

This collaboration highlights Zai Lab's commitment to developing innovative cancer therapies and its ability to forge global partnerships to accelerate the clinical development of promising drug candidates.