Laekna Therapeutics

What Laekna Therapeutics does

Laekna Therapeutics (来凯医药) is a science-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, with additional offices in Beijing and Ningbo. The company is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2105.HK) since June 29, 2023, and is led by founder Chris Lu as Chairman and CEO. Laekna is organized around three therapeutic pillars: metabolic diseases (obesity and sarcopenic obesity), cancer (breast, prostate, ovarian, and PD-1/PD-L1 resistant solid tumors), and liver fibrosis/NASH.

The company's pipeline consists of 14+ internally discovered drug candidates built on proprietary platforms targeting the Activin-ActRII pathway (LAE102, LAE103, LAE123), the PI3K/AKT signaling axis (LAE002/afuresertib, LAE118, LAE001), PARP1/USP1 synthetic lethality (LAE119, LAE120), cancer immunotherapy bispecifics (LAE111, LAE113, LAE005), and an activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC) depletion platform for liver fibrosis (LAE105). The lead asset, LAE002 (afuresertib), is one of only two AKT inhibitors globally in pivotal-stage development and recently met its primary endpoint in the Phase III AFFIRM-205 trial for HR+/HER2- breast cancer. LAE102, an ActRIIA monoclonal antibody for obesity, is in Phase I trials across both the US and China under a clinical collaboration with Eli Lilly.

Laekna employs 51-100 staff and operates as a pre-revenue company relying on strategic licensing and co-development agreements for monetization. Licensing partners include Eli Lilly (global LAE102 development), Qilu Pharma (LAE002 in China), Vasque Bio (LAE118 ex-China), and Innovent Biologics (combination therapy in solid tumors). The business model is structured to capture upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties while preserving global rights to lead assets. With RMB 743.8 million in cash and bank balances as of June 30, 2025, the company is funded to advance its multi-asset clinical pipeline through key value-inflection milestones.

Name

Laekna Therapeutics

Legal name

Laekna Inc.

Website

https://laekna.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Laekna Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for obesity, cancer, and liver fibrosis through internally discovered drug candidates targeting the ActRII, PI3K/AKT, and PARP/USP1 pathways, with licensing partnerships including Eli Lilly and Qilu Pharma.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-stage Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAAAAAH

Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Therapeutic Biologics (mAbs, recombinant proteins, cytokines)

SECONDARYHLAAAIAK

In Vivo Discovery & Translational Models Platforms (humanized models, PK/PD, efficacy)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Biologic Drug Discovery Platforms (screening, antibody engineering, synthetic biology)

Keywords

• Clinical-stage biotechnology
• Oncology therapeutics development
• Metabolic disease drugs
• Monoclonal antibody discovery
• AKT and PI3K inhibitors

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drug Development and Commercialization: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biotech company developing novel therapeutics for cancer, metabolic diseases, and liver fibrosis. Revenue expected from future drug commercialization through licensing agreements and direct sales.
2. Licensing Agreements: Exclusive licensing agreements for drug candidates including Qilu Pharma for LAE002 in China and Vasque Bio for LAE118 ex-China

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Laekna Therapeutics is a science-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company that internally discovers and develops novel small-molecule and biologic drug candidates across three therapeutic areas: metabolic diseases (obesity, sarcopenic obesity), oncology (breast, prostate, ovarian and PD-1/PD-L1-resistant solid tumors), and liver fibrosis. The pipeline includes monoclonal antibodies (LAE102, LAE103, LAE123) targeting the Activin-ActRII pathway, AKT inhibitor afuresertib (LAE002), PI3Kα inhibitor LAE118, PARP1 inhibitor LAE119, USP1 inhibitor LAE120, and bispecific antibodies LAE111 and LAE113.

Product overview

Laekna Therapeutics is a science-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company with a diversified portfolio of internally discovered drug candidates. The company operates in three main therapeutic areas: metabolic diseases (obesity, sarcopenic obesity), cancer (breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, solid tumors), and liver fibrosis. Core products include LAE102 (ActRIIA mAb for obesity) and LAE002/afuresertib (AKT inhibitor for breast cancer in Phase III). The ActRII portfolio includes LAE102, LAE103 (ActRIIB selective), and LAE123 (dual antagonist). The oncology portfolio includes LAE002 (afuresertib), LAE001, LAE005, LAE118, LAE119, LAE120, LAE122, and bispecific antibodies LAE111 and LAE113. The liver fibrosis program includes LAE105. The company listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2105.HK) in June 2023 and has initiated seven clinical trials as of mid-2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LAE002 (afuresertib)
• LAE102
• LAE103
• LAE123

Quantifiable outcome

• Phase III AFFIRM-205 clinical trial initiated for LAE002 in HR+/HER2- breast cancer with PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN alterations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Vasque BiocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026Exclusive License Agreement for LAE118 (novel PI3Kα pan-mutant selective inhibitor) in ex-China region. Laekna received upfront payment from Vasque Bio in June 2026.
• Qilu PharmacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 November 2025Exclusive licensing agreement for LAE002 (afuresertib), an innovative AKT inhibitor for the treatment of breast cancer in China. Agreement aims to accelerate commercialization for LAE002 in the Chinese market.
• Eli Lilly and CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Clinical collaboration to accelerate global development of LAE102 (ActRIIA monoclonal antibody) for obesity treatment. Lilly utilizes its Catalyze360-ExploR&D engine to accelerate development. Laekna retains global rights for LAE102. Lilly funds, shares resources and expertise to accelerate R&D timelines.
• Innovent BiologicsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2022Clinical collaboration for combination therapy of LAE002 (afuresertib) plus LAE005 (anti-PD-L1) plus sintilimab plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with solid tumors resistant to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Hutchmed: China-based clinical-stage oncology biotech listed on HKEX and NASDAQ, focused on targeted therapies including surufatinib. Similar HK-listed Chinese biotech profile with similar oncology pipeline approach.
• AstraZeneca: Global pharma with capivasertib (Truqap), the other late-stage AKT inhibitor directly competing with Laekna's LAE002/afuresertib in HR+/HER2- breast cancer with PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN alterations. Most direct competitor in Laekna's lead oncology franchise.
• Innovent Biologics: China-based biotech with PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab (Tyvyt) and multiple oncology biologics; Laekna's clinical collaborator on LAE002 combination therapy. Comparable HKEX-listed Chinese biotech profile with oncology focus.
• BeiGene: China-based oncology biotech with BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib) and Tislelizumab; HKEX and NASDAQ listed. Similar China-HK-listed biotech profile with comparable oncology pipeline breadth and global commercialization approach.
• Akeso Inc: China-based biotech specializing in bispecific antibodies including cadonilimab (PD-1/VEGF); HKEX listed. Directly comparable bispecific antibody pipeline focus (LAE111, LAE113) and HK-listed Chinese biotech profile.

Broad incumbents

• Eli Lilly: Global pharma leader with dominant obesity franchise (Zepbound/Mounjaro) and clinical collaborator on LAE102 for obesity. Sets competitive benchmark in obesity therapeutics and validates Laekna's ActRIIA approach via Catalyze360 partnership.
• Roche: Global pharma with alpelisib (Piqray) targeting PIK3CA-mutant breast cancer, directly relevant to Laekna's LAE118 PI3Kα pan-mutant selective inhibitor. Sets established standard in PI3K/AKT pathway oncology space.
• Novartis: Global pharma and source of Laekna's LAE001 in-license (2017) for prostate cancer. Major breast cancer player with ribociclib (Kisqali); competitive context for Laekna's oncology pipeline broadly.

Emerging players

• Viking Therapeutics: US clinical-stage biotech with obesity pipeline including VK2735 (GLP-1/GIP dual agonist). Competes with Laekna in obesity therapeutics space with focus on injectable and oral therapies.
• Structure Therapeutics: US clinical-stage biotech developing oral GLP-1 and amylin analogs for obesity. Competes with Laekna in obesity therapeutics with focus on small molecule oral alternatives to injectable therapies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laekna

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Laekna Therapeutics