Hangzhou Sino-US Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd. (Huadong Medicine), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd., and SynerK PharmaTech (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (SynerK) have reached a strategic cooperation to jointly develop the small nucleic acid (siRNA) drug SNK-2726, targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) for the treatment of hypertension.

Huadong Medicine has obtained the exclusive option, once exercised, for the right to develop, register, manufacture and commercialise the drug in Greater China. SynerK owns the intellectual property rights of SNK-2726, which is currently in the IND filing preparation stage.

According to the agreement, the two parties will jointly develop SNK-2726 to a certain stage. At the same time, Huadong Medicine obtains the exclusive option and may pay the exercise fee in the future to obtain the rights for exclusive development, registration, production and commercialisation of SNK-2726 in Greater China. After Huadong Medicine exercises its rights, SynerK will also be entitled to receive subsequent R&D milestones and sales milestones, as well as tiered loyalties based on net sales after commercialisation.

Dr. Tao Lan, CEO of SynerK, said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to cooperate with Huadong Medicine. Huadong Medicine's corporate philosophy of 'scientific research-based and patient-centred' coincides with our mission of ‘changing patients' lives’. This cooperation further demonstrates the potential of SynerK's GalNexus siRNA platform. Through this 1+1>2 collaborative effort, we expect to accelerate the development of SNK-2726 and bring new treatment options to patients.”

Lv Liang, chairman and general manager of Huadong Medicine, said, “We are very pleased to reach this strategic cooperation with SynerK to develop the innovative siRNA drug SNK-2726 together. SynerK has novel nucleic acid drug technology platforms with independent intellectual property rights. Huadong Medicine will use its deep accumulation in innovative drug research and development and rich experience in the clinical and commercialisation of drugs in the cardiovascular field. Through close cooperation with SynerK, we will jointly accelerate the development of SNK-2726 and benefit more hypertensive patients as soon as possible.”