Evening News: Stem Cell Applications Offer New Avenues for Retinal Degenerative Diseases; Kelun-Biotech Receives H-share Purchase from Controlling Shareholder

1. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles: Stem Cell Applications Provide New Avenues for Treating Retinal Degenerative Diseases

Recently, Professor Xu Haiwei's team from Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University and Professor Fan Xiaotang's team from the School of Psychology of Army Medical University pointed out that human retinal progenitor cell-derived extracellular vesicles enriched via organoid platforms can protect damaged retinal pigment epithelium. This provides new insights for developing next-generation regenerative medicine drugs and innovative treatments for retinal degeneration. The relevant research findings were recently published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.

2. Kelun Botai Bio Receives 785,000 H-Share Increase from Controlling Shareholder

On January 23, 2024, Kelun-Biotech announced that it had received a notice from its controlling shareholder, Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Kelun Pharmaceutical, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, purchased 785,000 H shares of the company via an off-exchange block trade on January 22, 2024, at an average price of HKD 90.0 per H share. Immediately following the completion of the aforementioned acquisition, Kelun Pharmaceutical held an interest in approximately 150 million shares of the company, representing about 68.49% of the total share capital.

3. Hansoh Pharma's HS-20093 Phase II Clinical Study Design Selected for Prestigious International Connective Tissue Oncology Conference

Recently, the official website of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) announced the innovative research achievements selected for the 2023 CTOS Annual Meeting. As the world's first B7-H3 ADC drug to conduct clinical research in the field of bone and soft tissue sarcoma, HS-20093 from Hansoh Pharma was successfully selected and its Phase II clinical trial (ARTEMIS-002) study design targeting recurrent or refractory bone and soft tissue sarcoma was presented at the conference in poster format. The study is divided into Phase IIa and Phase IIb. Phase IIa will evaluate the efficacy, safety, PK characteristics, and immunogenicity of different doses of HS-20093 in the target population of subjects with recurrent or refractory bone and soft tissue sarcoma. The Phase IIb clinical trial will assess the efficacy, safety, PK characteristics, and immunogenicity of HS-20093 in subjects with recurrent or refractory osteosarcoma.

4. REUNION Completes Nearly 100 Million USD in Series B Financing to Advance the Registration and Market Promotion of Its First Product

On January 24, 2024, REUNION announced the successful completion of a nearly RMB 100 million Series B financing round. This round was led by DCP Capital, with oversubscription from existing shareholders Qiming Venture Partners and Guoxin Innovation Equity. Huaxing Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor. The proceeds from this round will primarily be used to advance the registration and market promotion of the company's first product, accelerate clinical trials across multiple product lines, and expand into innovative product pipelines.

5. Biotech Company Unnatural Products Announces Collaboration with Merck Worth Approximately $220 Million

On January 24, 2024, biotechnology company Unnatural Products announced a collaboration with Merck worth approximately $220 million. The collaboration will leverage UNP's expertise in artificial intelligence and chemistry to design and develop macrocyclic candidate drugs targeting oncology treatment. UNP’s platform addresses the complexity of drug chemistry within the macrocycle space by combining parallel experimentation with machine learning. UNP utilizes its chemistry and AI-driven platform to integrate favorable characteristics of naturally occurring macrocycles into its designed synthetic macrocycles, giving them advantageous pharmaceutical properties. Under the terms of the agreement, UNP will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible for milestone payments of up to approximately $220 million related to the development and commercialization of the candidate products.

6. Novo Nordisk and EraCal Therapeutics Reach Collaboration and Licensing Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Novel Mechanism of Action Oral Small Molecules

On January 23, 2024, Novo Nordisk entered into a collaboration and license agreement with EraCal Therapeutics to develop and commercialize novel oral small molecules targeting appetite and weight control mechanisms developed by EraCal, further solidifying its leading position in the blockbuster market. Under the agreement, Novo Nordisk will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the program, while EraCal is eligible to receive upfront payments, development and commercial milestones totaling up to 235 million euros, as well as royalties following product sales.