Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals has acquired Biogen’s investigational drug, BIIB 131, aimed at advancing worldwide clinical development to treat AIS.
BIIB 131's mechanism of action focuses on restoring blood flow after an acute stroke, which could lead to improved patient outcomes.
The drug, which has shown potential in a Phase II trial in Japan, has both thrombolytic and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially extending the treatment window beyond existing standards.
Subjects who received BIIB 131 demonstrated substantially better clinical outcomes at 90 days compared with those who were treated with a placebo.
These results were supported by additional safety and angiographic data.
The terms of the acquisition include an undisclosed upfront payment as well as payments on meeting milestones and royalty payments on worldwide product sales.
Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals CEO and board executive director Sandy Mou stated: “BIIB 131 represents a potential breakthrough for a critical condition (AIS) that has not seen any meaningful pharmacologic innovation for almost 30 years.
“We hope to prove that BIIB 131 will significantly improve clinical outcomes for AIS patients around the world.
“This acquisition will not only enrich JIXING’s pipeline, but also accelerate the execution of our globalisation strategy.”
Ji Xing has also entered a strategic partnership with TMS, following the assignment of an option agreement from Biogen to Ji Xing.
This will see TMS and Ji Xing join forces on the global development of TMS-007, another new treatment for AIS.
TMS will retain royalty-free rights in Japan, while Ji Xing will spearhead its development and commercialisation in other countries.
In a Phase IIa trial of TMS-007 in Japan involving 90 patients with AIS, the small molecule has shown statistically significant difference over placebo on a key efficacy endpoint.
The proportion of subjects with a modified Rankin Scale 0-1 (no or minimal symptoms) at day 90 was the efficacy goal.
Ji Xing has also licensed exclusive rights for JX09 to TMS in Japan.
JX09, an oral treatment for resistant and/or uncontrolled hypertension, is expected to enter Phase I clinical trials in 2024.
