apalolizumab

Apalolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor, acting as an immune checkpoint inhibitor. By blocking the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2), it restores the anti-tumor activity of T cells. Apalolizumab is developed by Qilu Pharmaceutical and its subsidiary Sound Biologics, and it is the PD-1 antibody component of the bifunctional MabPair product QL1706 (also known as PSB205), where it is co-formulated with the CTLA-4 inhibitor tovorilizumab (tuvonralimab). The QL1706 combination received conditional approval in China in 2024 for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Apalolizumab is also being investigated as a monotherapy (under the code QL1604) and in various combinations for other solid tumors, including cholangiocarcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and lung cancer. Clinical trials, such as those at West China Hospital, have evaluated its efficacy in combination with radiotherapy (PULSAR) and chemotherapy.

Other names

iparomlimabapalitamab