China-based Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd (HKG: 1177) has announced that its subsidiary Jiangsu Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (CTTQ) has entered into a preliminary five-year licensing agreement with Japan-based Shionogi & Co., Ltd. Under the agreement, CTTQ will take exclusive market promotion rights to Shionogi’s oral COVID-19 therapy ensitrelvir in mainland China. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Ensitrelvir
Ensitrelvir, co-developed by Hokkaido University, can inhibit the proliferation of COVID-19 by selectively blocking 3CL protease. The drug was approved via an emergency use channel in Japan to treat COVID-19 infection last month and is currently being prepared for a New Drug Application (NDA) filing in China.
Market Dynamics and Strategic Implications
Last week, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals (HKG: 2607, SHA: 601607) became the exclusive importer and agent of ensitrelvir in mainland China under a separate deal with Shionogi. This move highlights the growing interest and strategic positioning of Chinese pharmaceutical companies to secure rights to promising COVID-19 therapies, aiming to address the ongoing pandemic and potential future outbreaks.-Fineline Info & Tech
