Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical (Huadong) has entered an agreement to acquire exclusive licence rights for the development and marketing of MC2 Therapeutics’ Wynzora cream in Greater China.

Wynzora is a topical treatment for adults with plaque psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis.

The licence rights are for regions comprising mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Huadong will make upfront and regulatory milestone payments totalling $16m to MC2, which is entitled to receive a further $36m on meeting sales-based milestones.

MC2 will also receive tiered royalty payments from Huadong.

Huadong will handle Wynzora’s development and marketing in Greater China while a joint steering committee with representatives from both firms will oversee these activities. 

The cream-based drug comprises a fixed-dose combination of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate, and has received approvals in the US and Europe. 

MC2 Therapeutics CEO Jesper Lange stated: “As a leading pharmaceutical company in Asia with a clear ambition and strategy to grow its franchise in the treatment of immune-mediated skin diseases, Huadong is an excellent partner to leverage Wynzora in Greater China. 

“This deal substantiates our strategy to make Wynzora available to as many people as possible globally, as we continue to develop and expand our pipeline of innovative first-in-class treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory conditions.”