Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, Inc.

Joincare Group to lead the clinical development and commercialization of BRII-693 in Greater China Brii Biosciences retains ex-Greater China rights to address the global antimicrobial resistance threats and continues investment in other priority pipeline assets DURHAM, N.C. and BEIJING, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brii Biosciences Limited ("Brii Bio," stock code: 2137.HK), a biotechnology company developing therapies to improve patient health and choice across diseases with high unmet medical needs, today announced that it has entered into a license and technology transfer agreement with Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co., Ltd ("Joincare Group"). Joincare Group will obtain an exclusive license from Brii Bio for the research, development, and commercialization of BRII-693 in the Greater China region. Under the terms of the agreement, Joincare Group will assume full responsibility for the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of BRII-693 in Greater China. In return, Brii Bio has received an upfront payment and will receive additional development and commercial milestone payments upon certain future milestone events plus tiered royalties on net product sales. BRII-693 is a novel synthetic lipopeptide in development for the treatment of critically ill patients with multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) gram-negative bacterial infections, particularly those caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) and Enterobacterales (CRE). Discovered through iterative structural modifications of the polymyxin scaffold, BRII-693 was designed to enhance antibacterial potency while reducing the toxicity commonly associated with older polymyxin agents such as renal and neuro-toxicities. In phase 1 studies, BRII-693 demonstrated a favorable safety, tolerability, and PK profile in healthy non-Chinese and Chinese participants. Brii Bio received IND approval from CDE of NMPA for a Phase 1 PK bridging study in China supporting a future Phase 3 registrational trial in patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. Dr. Zhi Hong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brii Bio, commented: "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 commercializing hospital antibiotics, we found the ideal partner to accelerate the development and commercialization of BRII-693. This partnership enables us to deliver a critical care medicine to Chinese patients facing life threatening infections." Mr. Nanqi Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Joincare Group, stated, "The Company has a long-standing track record of excellence in innovative drug research and development, underpinned by deep scientific expertise and a robust R&D platform. Driven by Brii Bio's well-established R&D system, the BRII-693 project demonstrated strong innovation and scientific rigor. Early data showing encouraging results in terms of therapeutic potential, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics, suggesting BRII-693's high potential to become a best-in-class therapy to address the critical unmet clinical needs. We are confident in the clinical prospects of BRII-693. 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." About BRII-693 BRII-693 is a novel synthetic lipopeptide in development for the treatment of critically ill patients with MDR/XDR gram-negative bacterial infections, especially carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Brii Bio holds exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize BRII-693. About Brii Bio Brii Biosciences Limited ("Brii Bio", stock code: 2137.HK) is a biotechnology company developing therapies to address major public health challenges where patients experience high unmet medical needs, limited choice and significant social stigmas. With a focus on infectious diseases, the Company is advancing a broad pipeline of unique therapeutic candidates with lead programs against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The Company is led by a visionary and experienced leadership team and has operations in key biotech hubs, including Raleigh-Durham, the San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing and Shanghai. For more information, visit . About Joincare Group Established in 1992, Joincare Group (Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co., Ltd) is an innovative scientific research-based integrated pharmaceutical group after many years of steady operation and rapid development. The group owns two major listed companies, Joincare and Livzon Pharmaceutical, as well as more than 20 major holding subsidiaries. The company has always adhered to the concept of scientific and technological innovation as the cornerstone, implementing a dual-driver strategy focused on innovative drugs and high-barrier complex formulation technology platforms, and has carried out rich pipeline layouts around respiratory, anti-infective, gastrointestinal, assisted reproduction, psychiatric, oncology and other areas of significant clinical needs, forming a rich and diversified product matrix and pipeline of drugs under development. Forward-looking Statements This contains the disclosure of some forward-looking statements. Except for statements of facts, all other statements can be regarded as forward-looking statements, that is, about our or our management's intentions, plans, beliefs, or expectations that will or may occur in the future. Such statements are assumptions and estimates made by our management based on its experience and knowledge of historical trends, current conditions, expected future development and other related factors. This forward-looking statement does not guarantee future performance, and actual results, development and business decisions may not match the expectations of the forward-looking statement. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to a large number of risks and uncertainties, which may affect our short-term and long-term performance. SOURCE Brii Biosciences Limited WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

By Andrew Silver Shanghai: A second Chinese drugmaker has applied for approval to sell a generic version of Novo Nordisk's blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic in China. Livzon Pharmaceutical Group said this week its subsidiary was seeking approval to sell the drug to control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes and reduce risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in those who also have cardiovascular disease. Novo's Ozempic sales in China more than doubled last year to 4.8 billion Danish crowns ($694 million), accounting for 5 per cent of its total global Ozempic sales, and the company expects approval for its related weight-loss drug Wegovy later this year. Novo's patent in China for semaglutide, the active ingredient used in both Ozempic and Wegovy, is set to expire in 2026. The drugmaker is in the midst of a legal fight in the country over the patent and an adverse court ruling could make it lose its semaglutide exclusivity even sooner. Livzon is one of several local firms developing their own versions of semaglutide-based drugs and is the second to apply for sale after Hangzhou Jiuyuan Gene Engineering earlier this year. Livzon's filing to the Shenzhen stock exchange did not disclose efficacy data and the company did not respond to a Reuters request for the information. The group has completed a phase three clinical trial, according to a trial database. Livzon said that its research and development on semaglutide injection to date had cost 141.4 million yuan ($19.5 million). ($1 = 7.2540 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Andrew Silver; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Mrigank Dhaniwala)

SEOUL, South Korea and WASHINGTON, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Onconic Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for oncology and gastrointestinal disorders, announced today the results of its Phase 3 ZERO-1 study of JAQBO (zastaprazan citrate) at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024, held in Washington D.C. from May 18-21, 2024. Dr. Jung-hwan Oh, MD, PhD, a professor and gastroenterologist at Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital in Korea, and the lead author of the ZERO-1 study, presented the phase 3 trial results during an oral presentation session. This randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study compared the efficacy and safety of zastaprazan to esomeprazole in patients with erosive esophagitis. Participants received either 20 mg of zastaprazan or 40 mg of esomeprazole daily for up to eight weeks. Among the 300 enrolled patients, the study demonstrated a cumulative healing rate of 97.9% in the zastaprazan group at week 8, compared to 94.9% in the esomeprazole group. By week 4, the healing rate was 95.1% for zastaprazan compared to 87.7% for esomeprazole, a statistically significant difference. These results confirmed that zastaprazan is non-inferior to esomeprazole. Additionally, zastaprazan showed a rapid onset of action within one hour and maintained a gastric pH above four for 85% of the 24-hour period, highlighting its potential to effectively alleviate nighttime acid reflux symptoms with its long-lasting efficacy. "We are encouraged by the positive results of the ZERO-1 study, which highlight the efficacy and safety of JAQBO for patients with erosive esophagitis," said John Kim, Ph.D., CEO of Onconic Therapeutics. "The recent approval by the MFDS of Korea is a significant milestone for Onconic Therapeutics. We are hopeful that JAQBO can improve patient care globally by providing rapid and sustained relief from symptoms, and we are committed to pursuing its development for broader international markets." In March 2023, JAQBO was licensed to Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, the leading pharmaceutical company in China, for development and commercialization in the Greater China market. About Zastaprazan Zastaprazan, developed by Onconic Therapeutics, was approved for the treatment of erosive esophagitis under the brand name JAQBO by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea in April 2024. About Onconic Therapeutics Onconic Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs. The company is dedicated to improving patient outcomes and providing innovative healthcare solutions for cancer and gastrointestinal disorders. SOURCE Onconic Therapeutics