Qilu Pharma Inks Over RMB 700 Million Deal to License Small Interfering RNA Drug RBD7022 from RiboBio for Greater China

On December 15, 2023, Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. ("Ribo Life Science") announced that it had signed a technology licensing agreement with Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Qilu Pharmaceutical"), granting Qilu Pharmaceutical the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the anti-PCSK9 small nucleic acid new drug RBD7022 in Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao).

RBD7022 is a product of Ribo Life Science based on its proprietary RIBO-GalSTAR technology.^®RBD7022 is a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA drug developed using liver-targeted delivery technology aimed at treating hyperlipidemia. It is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Existing research data shows that RBD7022 has good safety and tolerability, with significant lipid-lowering effects, and has the potential to achieve dosing intervals of several months or even longer, greatly improving patient compliance.

According to the technology licensing agreement, Qilu Pharmaceutical will obtain the rights for clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of RBD7022 within the Greater China region. Ribo Life Science will receive an upfront payment and milestone payments totaling over 700 million RMB, as well as royalty rates in the high double digits.

Dr. Tao Weikang, Vice President of Qilu Pharmaceutical Group and General Manager of the Global Innovation R&D System, stated: "Qilu Pharmaceutical is striving to build an industry-leading innovative drug R&D pipeline. We are continuously making efforts in the field of chronic disease treatment, including cardiovascular diseases, to address unmet clinical needs and constantly expand and improve our product pipelines in various therapeutic areas. Ribo Life Science is a leader in China's small nucleic acid pharmaceuticals. We are very pleased to collaborate with Ribo Life Science, using local innovation to benefit a wide range of Chinese patients. We look forward to a strong partnership with Ribo Life Science in the small nucleic acid field, rapidly advancing this highly promising innovative drug to market, exploring the Chinese market, and achieving win-win cooperation."

Dr. Zicai Liang, founder and CEO of Ribo Life Science, stated: "Ribo Life Science has globally competitive capabilities and a rich pipeline layout in the cardiovascular metabolism field. We are very pleased to have reached this collaboration with Qilu Pharmaceutical. Qilu Pharmaceutical possesses excellent new drug translation and commercialization capabilities. We believe this partnership will significantly accelerate the clinical development and commercialization process of RBD7022, bringing innovative small nucleic acid therapies to Chinese patients as soon as possible."

RBD7022 is a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA drug independently developed by Ribo Life Science. By inhibiting the expression of PCSK9 protein, it reduces lysosomal degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL-R) and lowers LDL-C levels in the blood. It is intended for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and ASCVD patients whose LDL-C remains poorly controlled after statin treatment. The drug is currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials.

Qilu Pharmaceutical Group is a leading full-industry-chain pharmaceutical company, with 11 major production bases across China, covering a total area of 8,916 mu, and ranked fifth on the 2022 China Pharmaceutical Industry Top 100 List.

Relying on the five major R&D centers in China and the United States, the group focuses on clinical value and patient-centeredness, continuously integrating global high-quality resources for innovative drug research and development. In 2022, the group's R&D investment accounted for about 11% of its sales revenue. It has laid out a rich and competitive or differentiated product pipeline in significant unmet disease areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, liver diseases, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders, along with various competitive platforms. The group actively introduces external innovation projects and collaborates with academic institutions, integrating and innovating with all parties. With warm-hearted scientific and technological innovation, it promotes the rapid market entry of more high-quality drugs, driving a better and healthier future for humanity.

Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Ribo Life Science") was established in 2007. It is an innovative R&D enterprise dedicated to developing RNA interference (RNAi) drugs and is a major pioneer and leader in China's small nucleic acid technology and small nucleic acid pharmaceutical industry. The company's headquarters is located in Kunshan, Jiangsu, with R&D centers in Beijing and Gothenburg, Sweden.

Ribo Life Science aligns with the innovative frontier of international small nucleic acid technology, committing to the iterative research and development of small nucleic acid chemical modification and drug delivery technologies. It has established an independent, controllable, and fully integrated small nucleic acid drug R&D platform that supports the entire lifecycle of small nucleic acid drugs from early-stage research to industrialization. The self-developed GalNAc small nucleic acid drug delivery technology platform, RIBO-GalSTAR, features highly specific liver targeting, high efficiency, and long-lasting effects, reaching an internationally competitive level.