Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd (SHE: 000963) announced a key milestone in its strategic collaboration with Suzhou Shian Biotechnology Co., Ltd., advancing their jointly developed siRNA therapy for obesity and metabolic diseases into formal preclinical development. The partnership, established in early 2025, has successfully completed preclinical candidate compound (PCC) identification for a novel weight-loss mechanism, positioning the asset for IND-enabling studies and potential global licensing opportunities.
Partnership Structure & Milestone
Element
Detail
Companies
Huadong Medicine (SHE: 000963) × Suzhou Shian Biotechnology
Partnership Inception
Early 2025
Therapeutic Focus
Obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (MASH)
Modality
siRNA (small interfering RNA) therapy
Current Milestone
Preclinical candidate compound (PCC) identified
Development Stage
Formal preclinical research initiated
Shian Economics
Upfront payment, milestones, and substantial share of ex-territory licensing fees
Technology Platform & Strategic Rationale
Feature
siRNA Approach
Strategic Value
Mechanism
Novel weight-loss target via RNA interference
Differentiation from GLP-1 receptor agonist saturation
Duration
Potential for quarterly or bi-annual dosing vs. weekly injections
Addresses comorbidity of obesity and fatty liver disease
Next-Generation Positioning
Post-GLP-1 era innovation
Captures market seeking alternatives to incretin therapy
Collaboration Logic: Huadong Medicine contributes clinical development expertise, regulatory resources, and China commercial infrastructure; Shian Biotech provides proprietary siRNA platform and novel target biology
Market Context & Competitive Landscape
Factor
Market Implication
Global Obesity Market
Projected $100 billion by 2030; GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy) dominate but face adherence and muscle-loss challenges
siRNA Metabolic Pipeline
Emerging class with Arrowhead, Alnylam, and Ionis advancing candidates; first-mover advantage in specific targets critical
China Obesity Burden
>50% of adults overweight/obese; domestic innovation prioritized under Healthy China 2030
MASH Opportunity
$35 billion projected market with no approved pharmacotherapies; siRNA offers disease-modifying potential
Licensing Potential
Shian’s ex-territory fee structure indicates expectation of global Big Pharma partnership for US/EU markets
Development Roadmap
Phase
Activity
Timeline
Current
PCC identified; preclinical studies initiated
Q1 2026
Near-term
IND-enabling toxicology, pharmacology, and manufacturing
2026-2027
Clinical
Phase I initiation (China)
2027
Global
US/EU IND filing and partnership discussions
2027-2028
Expansion
MASH indication clinical validation
Parallel track
Forward‑Looking Statements This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding siRNA therapy development timelines, preclinical-to-clinical transition success, and global licensing outcomes for the Huadong-Shian collaboration. Actual results may differ due to siRNA delivery challenges (hepatotoxicity, off-target effects), competitive dynamics in the obesity drug market, and partnership negotiation results with multinational pharmaceutical companies.-Fineline Info & Tech
By Fineline Cube