BioNova Pharmaceuticals, a Shanghai-based oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company founded in 2018, and Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY), a leading French pharmaceutical company, have announced a significant agreement. Sanofi has reacquired the exclusive development and commercialization rights to Rezurock (belumosudil), the world’s first ROCK2 inhibitor, in mainland China from BK Pharmaceuticals Ltd and BioNova Pharma. This move also signifies the termination of the previous exclusive licensing agreement between BK Pharma, BioNova, and Kadmon Corporation LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi. Additionally, Sanofi declared its intention to take over the commercial launch of Rezurock in China, indicated for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and above with chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) who have had an insufficient response to glucocorticoids or other systemic therapies.
Rezurock’s Background and Approval
Rezurock, originally developed by Kadmon, received its first approval in the US in July 2021. BioNova Pharma secured the rights to the drug in China in 2019 and obtained approval in August this year after completing clinical development and filing a new drug application (NDA). Sanofi’s acquisition of Kadmon in September 2021 granted it the rights to Rezurock outside of China.-Fineline Info & Tech
