China – based biopharmaceutical company Everest Medicines (HKG: 1952) has announced its strategic plans for the next two years and beyond as it progresses toward becoming a fully – integrated biopharmaceutical company. The company aims to develop capabilities across the full biotechnology value chain, including in – house discovery, in – licensing, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Core Focus on Renal Diseases and mRNA Platform
Everest Medicines will prioritize renal diseases and its mRNA platform portfolio in its strategic focus. The company is building commercialization capacities to support the successful launch of multiple late – stage assets over the next five years. Leading this effort is Nefecon, a targeted – release formulation of budesonide, which is now the company’s lead renal portfolio product candidate. Nefecon is expected to launch in China in the second half of 2023.
Acquisition and Expansion of Nefecon
Everest Medicines acquired Nefecon from US – based Calliditas in June 2019, securing exclusive development and commercial rights to the drug in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore. In March 2022, the agreement was extended to include South Korea. This strategic acquisition and expansion underscore Everest’s commitment to addressing significant unmet medical needs in renal diseases.
mRNA Platform Development
In addition to renal diseases, Everest Medicines is also focused on advancing its mRNA platform. The company aims to initiate clinical trials and file an Emergency Use Authorization application in China in 2023 for its lead mRNA candidate, EVER – COVID19 – M1, a bivalent COVID – 19 booster. Since partnering with Providence Therapeutics Holdings Inc. in early 2022, Everest has made significant progress, completing industrial – scale technology transfer, advancing its clinically – validated mRNA platform, and successfully conducting trial production runs at its commercial – scale manufacturing facility in Jiashan, China.
Future Prospects and mRNA Potential
Beyond its COVID – 19 program, Everest Medicines plans to leverage the full potential of its mRNA technology platform to develop preventive and therapeutic vaccines against various infectious diseases and cancers. This strategic approach highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and its goal of becoming a leading player in the global biopharmaceutical industry.-Fineline Info & Tech
