China-based Luye Pharma Group (HKG: 2186), Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 002262), and Beijing Fine Hin Mobile Medical Technology Co., Ltd have agreed to leverage their respective expertise, platform advantages, and commercialization resources to bolster the commercialization of Luye’s Category 1 chemical drug toludesvenlafaxine (LY03005), an extended-release treatment for depression. No financial details were disclosed.
Toludesvenlafaxine: Mechanism and Clinical Studies
Toludesvenlafaxine is a new molecular entity with a novel mechanism of action, described as essentially a serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) triple reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI/TRI). Clinical studies have confirmed that it can act as a comprehensive treatment for depression, significantly improve patients’ emotional symptoms and cognitive ability, and promote the recovery of social functions. In addition, it has good safety and tolerance, does not cause drowsiness, and does not affect sexual function, weight, or lipid metabolism. The drug is awaiting regulatory decisions in the US and has completed a Phase I study on depression in Japan. A Phase III study in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is also underway in China.
Partnership Background
Nhwa Pharma, a central nervous system (CNS) specialist founded in 1978, backed Fine Hin Mobile Medtech with RMB 50 million (USD 7 million) alongside medical resources in the latter’s angel funding round in 2016. Founded in 2015, Fine Hin is the largest CNS and mental health Internet medical service platform in China, focusing on providing digital diagnosis and treatment services for patients with mental disorders.-Fineline Info & Tech
