Langhua Pharma's CMC Business Gains Momentum, Supporting Viume Biologics' Innovative Ophthalmic Drug Development

TAIZHOU, China and SHANGHAI, China, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Zhejiang Langhua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Langhua Pharma") successfully provided support and services for the scale-up manufacturing of clinical samples for VIVAVISION's VVN001. The successful delivery of this VVN001 clinical sample support service validates the client referral effect of Viva Biotech at the front-end of new drug R&D, and further highlights the strategic synergy between Viva Biotech and Langhua Pharma in the research, development, and manufacturing of innovative drugs.

Langhua Pharmaceutical's CMC Services Accelerate VIVAVISION's Innovative Drug R&D

As one of the key enterprises invested and incubated by Viva Biotech, VIVAVISION focuses on the research and development of innovative drugs for ophthalmic diseases, possessing internationally leading independent R&D capabilities and a product pipeline in the ophthalmology field. In April 2021, VIVAVISION announced the completion of a RMB 300 million Series D financing round, led by Sequoia China. Its first clinical-stage candidate, VVN001 (a second-generation LFA-1 antagonist), is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials in the United States for the treatment of dry eye disease.

Regarding this service, Dr. Ma Jianguo, CEO of Langhua Pharmaceutical, stated: “Langhua is deeply honored to have provided scale-up manufacturing support and services for VIVAVISION during the clinical stage, and we are also delighted to witness the achievements VIVAVISION has made in corporate development and pipeline advancement. Moving forward, Veya will continue to partner with Langhua to jointly advance VIVAVISION’s clinical programs, and to research, develop, and manufacture superior therapeutics for patients with ophthalmic diseases.”

As of the end of 2020, Viva Biotech had invested in and incubated nearly 70 biopharmaceutical start-ups, with a total product pipeline of 125 assets. Among these, over 50% have advanced to the PCC/IND-enabling stage, and 11 have entered the clinical stage. These high-growth-potential biopharmaceutical companies and their extensive pipeline portfolios will serve as a critical advantage and prerequisite for driving business to subsequent CMC/CDMO services.

Viva Biotech and Langhua Pharmaceutical entered into a strategic integration in November 2020. Building on the foundation of front-end client acquisition, Viva Biotech will continue to advance the integration process with Langhua Pharmaceutical. By incorporating CMC-related business capabilities and core teams, and leveraging Langhua Pharmaceutical’s mature CDMO platform with a proven track record and strong reputation, the company will further strengthen its capabilities in drug research, development, and manufacturing. This will continuously build a comprehensive, one-stop drug service and production platform, empowering global biopharmaceutical innovators to successfully achieve the transformation from “0” to “1”.