Brii Biosciences and the Joincare Pharmaceutical Group have signed a licence and technology transfer agreement for BRII-693, a new synthetic lipopeptide being developed for multidrug and extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) gram-negative bacterial infections.
The deal grants Joincare Group exclusive rights to research, develop and commercialise BRII-693 within the Greater China region.
Brii Bio maintains its ex-Greater China rights to tackle the global challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance and continues investments in other key pipeline assets.
The company received an upfront payment and will obtain additional payments tied to developmental and sales milestones, and tiered royalties based on net product sales.
Brii Bio chairman and CEO Dr Zhi Hong stated: “The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in Greater China underscores the urgency for novel hospital antibiotics.
“With Joincare Group’s proven capabilities in manufacturing and commercialising hospital antibiotics, we found the ideal partner to accelerate the development and commercialisation of BRII-693. This partnership enables us to deliver critical care medicine to Chinese patients facing life-threatening infections.”
BRII-693 is designed from extensive structural modifications made to polymyxin scaffolds aiming at heightened antibacterial efficacy coupled with reduced toxicity issues prevalent in aged polymyxin agents such as renal and neuro-toxicities.
In its initial clinical assessments during Phase I trials, the therapy showed encouraging safety profiles along with satisfactory tolerability levels among healthy participants.
Following these results, Brii Bio secured approval from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China to conduct a Phase I pharmacokinetic bridging study that supports future Phase III registration studies targeting patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia.
Joincare Group CEO Nanqi Lin stated: “This collaboration further strengthened Joincare Group’s strategic positioning in the anti-infection disease area. We look forward to launching this asset soon, providing patients with more high-quality treatment options.”
