Hong Kong-listed United Laboratories International Holdings Ltd (HKG: 3933) has announced tacit clinical trial approval for its Category 1 drug TUL01101, a small molecule JAK1 inhibitor. The upcoming trial will evaluate the efficacy of TUL01101 as a treatment for patients suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD).
Filling the Gap in China’s JAK1 Inhibitor Market
Currently, there is no homegrown JAK1 inhibitor available on the market in China. Globally, JAK1 inhibitors such as Pfizer’s abrocitinib, Novartis’s Jakavi (ruxolitinib), Eli Lilly’s Olumiant (baricitinib), and AbbVie’s upadacitinib are commercially available. The development of TUL01101 positions United Laboratories to potentially become a key player in the Chinese market for JAK1 inhibitors, offering a much-needed alternative for patients.
Domestic Competition in Clinical Development
Meanwhile, domestic Chinese companies are also making strides in the development of JAK1 inhibitors. Hengrui Medicine’s SHR0302 and Lynk Pharmaceuticals’ LNK01001 have already entered clinical development stages. This competition underscores the growing interest and investment in novel treatments for atopic dermatitis within China’s pharmaceutical industry.-Fineline Info & Tech
