Accro Bioscience and Fosun Pharma announced that Accro will grant exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize its independently developed, highly selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor to Fosun Pharma in Greater China (including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR).

Accro will retain global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize AC-201 (excluding Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR).

Under the agreement, Accro will receive an upfront payment and near-term milestone payment totaling RMB 80 million (including an upfront payment of RMB 60 million, and a milestone payment of RMB 20 million upon completion of manufacture technology transfer), as well as up to RMB 76 million in development milestone payments. Accro will also receive commercial milestone payments and tiered royalties of up to double-digit percentages based on product sales in the licensed regions.

AC-201 is a novel, highly selective and potent oral small-molecule inhibitor of TYK2/JAK1 that binds to the pseudo kinase domain (JH2) of TYK2/JAK1, with minimal effect on the JAK2/JAK2 signaling pathway. It is being developed to treat multiple immune mediated inflammatory diseases. AC-201 has completed a Phase II clinical trial in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Results indicated that after 12 weeks of treatment, all dose groups in the Phase II study met the primary endpoint and key secondary endpoints. AC-201 was generally safe and well-tolerated across all dose groups, with no adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation or serious adverse events (SAEs).

Dr. Xiaohu Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Accro Bioscience, said: "We are delighted to work with Fosun Pharma. Fosun's extensive clinical development experience and commercialization capabilities will accelerate the development of AC-201 and enhance drug accessibility, bringing exceptional treatment options to patients with autoimmune diseases in the region as soon as possible."

“We are delighted to enter into this collaboration with Accro. AC-201, as a highly selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, demonstrates significant clinical potential in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.” Xingli Wang, Co-President of Fosun Pharma, CEO of the Global R&D Center said.