BeiGene Announces Name Change to BeOne Medicines

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BeiGene announced plans to change its name to BeOne Medicines.¹ The new name is meant to demonstrate the company’s goal of forming global partnerships and multi-sectoral partnerships. Along with the name change, the company plans on changing its NASDAQ ticker to ONC.

In a press release, BeiGene co-founder, chairman, and CEO John V. Oyler said, “Cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide, exacts an immense toll on individuals, families, and communities. No person, family, scientist, clinician, hospital, policy maker, company or country can or should face this devastating disease alone. We all must work together to win, which is why we are committed to playing a critical role and unifying the global community in the fight against cancer. Our focus is to not only bring innovative medicines to as many people as possible, but also to identify and address the challenges that impede access, making treatments more accessible and affordable. We have already helped more than 1.4 million patients, and with one of the most prolific oncology pipelines, this year we will bring more than 10 new potential medicines into the clinic. I look forward to our next chapter of growth as BeOne.”

This news follows the recent announcement that BeiGene board member Donald Glazer passed away.² Glazer served as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Glazer passed away after battling lung cancer with multiple myeloma.

In a press release issued in late October, Oyler said, “We are saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Don Glazer. He helped guide the founding of the company in 2010 and was an ardent supporter of our mission to deliver innovative medicines faster and more affordably to patients around the world. His impact from a professional and personal perspective is immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by all of us who benefited from his extensive experience, sound judgment and wise counsel. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.”

In other news, BeiGene announced in early October that Tevimbra would be available for commercial sale in the US.³ This news came after FDA approved the drug earlier in the year based on the results of the RATIONALE-302 trial. Tevimbra is a treatment for unresectable or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and it will be available for eligible patients through their insurance plans.

In a press release issued at the time, BeiGene’s North America general manager Matt Shaulis said, “At BeiGene, making our medicines accessible is central to our vision to provide life-changing medicines to people worldwide. BeiGene purposefully priced TEVIMBRA 10% lower than other anti-PD-1 therapies approved in this indication in an effort to make that vision a reality for ESCC patients in the U.S.”

Sources

1. BeiGene Unveils Proposed Name Change to BeOne Medicines, Reaffirming Its Mission to Unite Global Community Against Cancer. BeiGene. November 14, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114671168/en/BeiGene-Unveils-Proposed-Name-Change-to-BeOne-Medicines-Reaffirming-Its-Mission-to-Unite-Global-Community-Against-Cancer
2. BeiGene Mourns Death of Beloved Board Member Donald Glazer. BeiGene. October 28, 2024. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://ir.beigene.com/news/beigene-mourns-death-of-beloved-board-member-donald-glazer/86a31132-0f4a-4bec-a12e-bfd81b2a8a08/
3. BeiGene Announces Availability of TEVIMBRA® in U.S. BeiGene. October 4, 2024. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://ir.beigene.com/news/beigene-announces-availability-of-tevimbra-in-u-s/1d4b131f-7226-4196-bbac-dc310930b1ad/