Weekly in Asia｜Oct

20190930-1005 Weekly in Asia

Japanese Government Officially Promotes Research and Development of AI Gastric Cancer Screening Technology

The Japanese government have recently proposed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in the diagnosis of gastric cancer, to facilitate related research and development plans, and to assist the industry in developing high-tech medical services and improving people’s health. The research projects on artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic technology of Japan’s optical industry has entered clinical testing stages. However, the assisted diagnosis technology such as endoscopes is a little behind. Therefore, the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) proposed a new research project to collaborate with AI companies and AI medical service institutes to develop an endoscopic gastric cancer assisted diagnosis system, and target for listing in 2022.

Simcere and JW Pharmaceutical Announce Collaboration and License Agreement for Anti-c Drug Candidate URC-102 in China

In China, the number of patients who suffer from gout is about 17 million, which has become the second most common metabolic disease. However, the current available treatments for gout are limited by their efficacy and safety profiles, presenting a huge unmet medical need for the condition.

China based Simcere Pharmaceutical Group and Korea headquartered JW Pharmaceutical (JWP) have announced on September 27th a collaboration and exclusive license agreement for anti-gout drug candidate URC-102 in China, Hong Kong and Macao. URC-102 is a selective inhibitor of uric acid transporter (URAT-1), and is currently under Phase IIb clinical evaluation in patients in South Korea.

Under the agreement, Simcere will be responsible for the clinical research, registration and commercialization of URC-102 in China. JWP will receive upfront payment, milestones and sales royalties from commercialization in China.

About JW Pharmaceutical

JW Pharmaceutical Corporation was founded in 1945 and has been leading Korea’s pharmaceutical market with a portfolio of outstanding original medicinal products. JW’s new drug pipelines are in various areas including cancer therapy, immune disease treatment and regenerative medicine.

About Simcere

Simcere is a Chinese pharmaceutical company committed to delivering high quality and effective therapies to patients, focusing its efforts on therapeutic areas of oncology, neurology, inflammation, immunology diseases etc.

Genexine and JV Sets Up A Joint Firm in Thailand

Thailand is the second largest economy in Southeast Asia and the world’s 19th largest manufacturer. The Thai government is making a major commitment to building a modern biotech economy. In order to carry out new bio drug development business in Thailand effectively, South Korean biotech firm Genexine announced on September 27th that it signed a contract with the Thai company KinGen Holdings to establish a joint venture named KinGen Biotech.

Genexine aims to reach sales of more than USD $220 million in Thailand by 2026 with starting its Contract Manufacturing Organization business for supplying its products to ASEAN nations.

About Genexine

Genexine Co., Ltd. is bio technology company. The Company specialize in the development of therapeutic vaccines and next generation antibody fusion protein medications.

About KinGen Holdings

KinGen Holdings is a Thai consortium that is backed by the government, schools and divers investors, according to Genexine.

Aridis Pharma Inks Licensing Agreement with Serum Institute

US based Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel anti-infective therapies to treat bacterial infections, has announced on September 30th that it has formed a licensing agreement with Serum AMR, an affiliate of Serum International BV (SIBV) and the Serum Institute of India, Ltd. The agreement grants Serum AMR a license to multiple programs from Aridis for the access of the Aridis ‘s MabIgX®, a technology that can be used to rapidly identify rare, potent antibody-producing B-cells directly from patients.

As part of the agreement, Aridis will receive the remaining upfront cash payment of USD $10 million, which is in addition to the USD $5 million that was initially received when the companies signed an option agreement on July 30, 2019.

About Serum Institute of India, Ltd.

Founded in 1966, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SIIL) is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally. Serum Institute also manufactures and commercializes recombinant protein products such as anti-sera, monoclonal antibodies, human erythropoietin.

About Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discovers and develops antibiotics. The Company is utilizing its proprietary MabIgX® technology platform to rapidly identify rare, potent antibody-producing B-cells from patients who have successfully overcome an infection to produce monoclonal antibodies.

Taiwan Aims to Become Asia’s Demonstration Site for Proton Therapy

Taiwan is well positioned with its medical expertise and geographic location for being a demo site where healthcare business would flourish. More than 500,000 patients come to Taiwan to seek for cure of disease worldwide annually.

In recent years, nine proton and radiation therapy centers has been established in Taiwan, including Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei Medical University Hospital, China Medical University Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital and five more known domestically and regionally. In addition, multinational medical device giants such as IBA, Varian, Hitachi and SHI Group are forming allies with these medical centers. It is widely recognized that Taiwan has the chance to become Asia’s demonstration site for proton therapy.

References

1. https://expo.taiwan-healthcare.org/news_detail.php?REFDOCID=0pygtuh970vuxpqc
2. http://en.simcere.com/index.php/Index/news_detail/id/59
3. http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20190927000541
4. https://digitimes.com.tw/iot/article.asp?cat=158&cat1=20&cat2=70&cat3=15&id=0000569537_YMU6YYY92XP1A48PNVEUG
5. https://investors.aridispharma.com/2019-09-30-Aridis-Pharmaceuticals-Executes-License-Agreement-with-The-Serum-Institute-of-India-Ltd-for-Exclusive-Rights-to-Products-and-Utilization-of-MabIgX-R-Platform-Technology

Author

GeneOnline