Jinxing Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Collaborate to Launch Aficamten in China

On December 20, Jinxing Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi announced a strategic partnership granting Sanofi the exclusive rights to develop and market aficamten in the Greater China region. This agreement is slated for completion in 2024, although financial details have not been disclosed.

Aficamten, a cutting-edge selective small-molecule myosin inhibitor, was initially developed by Cytokinetics. Jinxing Pharmaceuticals secured the exclusive rights for its development and commercialization in Greater China as early as 2020. In a significant development, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China accepted the new drug application (NDA) for aficamten tablets in October. The drug has been categorized for priority review, underscoring its innovative approach and the pressing treatment needs it addresses. In addition, the FDA in the United States accepted the NDA for aficamten in December, with a decision expected by September 26, 2025.

Aficamten is designed to treat symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM), which is among the most prevalent hereditary cardiovascular disorders. This condition is characterized by myocardial hypertrophy that impedes cardiac blood flow. Globally, approximately two-thirds of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients have the obstructive form, while the remaining one-third have non-obstructive HCM. Currently, a pivotal phase III clinical trial named ACACIA-HCM is actively investigating the efficacy of aficamten in treating non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (nHCM).

Despite the lack of comprehensive early screening methods for HCM, which often leads to delayed diagnoses, the condition's estimated prevalence is at least 1 in 200 individuals. The strategic partnership between Sanofi and Jinxing Pharmaceuticals aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of aficamten, offering novel treatment options to a substantial patient population in Greater China. This collaboration is anticipated to enhance the diagnosis and treatment standards for HCM, thereby providing significant benefits to patients. It also underscores the emerging trend of global pharmaceutical companies partnering with local entities to advance innovative therapies, which is becoming a pivotal model for expanding the treatment landscape for rare diseases in China.