Vor’s pivot to autoimmune drugs gains traction with Sjögren’s trial success

Vor Bio now plans to explore a global trial after a study in China showed telitacicept, licensed by Vor from Chinese biotech RemeGen, reduced disease activity in Sjögren’s syndrome.

Why it matters: This success gives new life to Vor, which recently laid off nearly all staff and shifted away from cancer R&D. Telitacicept’s progress could strengthen its transformation into an autoimmune-focused company.

Backstory:

• Telitacicept is already approved in China for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and myasthenia gravis.

• Vor licensed it for $125M in cash and stock in May after abandoning its original cancer pipeline.

• The drug blocks BAFF and APRIL proteins to limit autoreactive B cells, a key driver in autoimmune conditions.

Big picture: Vor joins a growing race to target B cell biology in autoimmune diseases, alongside companies like Vertex and Vera. Earlier this week, Novartis also reported Phase 3 success for its BAFF receptor-blocking antibody in Sjögren’s.

What´s Next:

• RemeGen will seek approval for telitacicept in China for Sjögren’s.

• The success may lead to a Phase 3 trial in Sjögren’s alongside an ongoing global trial in myasthenia gravis.

• Vor shares surged 35% on the news but remain far below peak levels.