HONG KONG, Jun 9, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – SinoMab BioScience Limited ("SinoMab" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group", stock code: 3681.HK), a Hong Kong-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of immunological diseases, is pleased to announce that, on 6 June 2022, an Investigational New Drug application ("IND", for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder ("NMOSD")) for SN1011 has been filed with and accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (the "CDE") of the National Medical Products Administration of China (the "NMPA"). The Company plans to initiate the Phase II clinical study in China upon approval of the present IND. The present IND submission, once granted, will enable the Company to conduct clinical program in China for treatment of NMOSD.

SN1011 is the Company's third generation, covalent reversible BTK inhibitor with improved safety, higher selectivity and superior efficacy and for the long-term treatment of systemic lupus erythematous, pemphigus vulgaris, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other immunological diseases. SN1011 differentiates from existing BTK inhibitors currently available in the market in terms of mechanism of action, affinity, selectivity and safety.

The Phase I clinical study (first-in-human clinical trial) of SN1011 was conducted in Australia and China in 2019 and completed in July 2021, which has demonstrated improved safety and good pharmacokinetics profile. Currently, the IND application for SN1011 in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and multiple sclerosis (MS) have been approved by NMPA, the Company plans to launch the Phase II clinical study of SN1011 for pemphigus in the third quarter of 2022. The Company is also planning an IND submission for multiple sclerosis (MS) in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2022, thereby accelerating the initiation of a global phase II trial in the third quarter of 2022.

NMOSD is an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with predominant involvement of the optic nerve and spinal cord. The pathogenesis of NMOSD is mainly associated with aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies and is a separate disease entity from multiple sclerosis, with severe optic neuritis and longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis as the main clinical features. However, the cause of NMOSD is unknown, with a combination of environmental factors such as smoking, low vitamin D levels, EBV infection and genetic susceptibility contributing to the development of the disease.

In 2020, according to inpatient registration data published in China, the incidence of NMOSD is about 0.278 (100,000 people/year), with children at 0.075 (100,000 people/year) and adults at 0.347 (100,000 people/year). NMOSD is seen at all ages, with young adults being the most common, with the average age of onset being 40 years. NMOSD is a highly recurrent and disabling disease, with 40-60% of patients experiencing a recurrence within one year and 90% within three years, and 50% of patients with a natural course of the disease having severe visual or motor impairment within 5-10 years. Currently, there are only three drugs officially approved by the US FDA or the European Union for the treatment of NMOSD, including complement inhibitors, IL-6 receptor blockers and B-lymphocyte-depleting agents. On 30 April 2021, the NMPA officially approved satralizumab for treatment of AQP4-IgG positive patients over the age of 12 years, making it the first drug approved for NMOSD treatment indications in mainland China. An IND application for NMOSD for SN1011 of SinoMab has been accepted by the CDE of the NMPA, and once approved, will facilitate the clinical research and development of new drugs for NMOSD in China.

Dr. Shui On LEUNG, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of SinoMab said that: "NOMSD is the fourth indication of SN1011 in China following the approvals of IND application for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), and is also the third IND application submitted by the Company to the regulatory authority this year, which fully reflects the team's ability to simultaneously advance the research and development of multiple drug candidates and to effectively execute and communicate. The potential indications for SN1011 continue to expand, BTK inhibitor has a wide range of applications in the field of treatment of autoimmune diseases and huge future market potential. We believe that if the SN1011 product is successfully approved and commercialized in the future, it is expected to bring positive benefits to the Company, provide new options for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases and bring hope to the majority of patients."

About SinoMab BioScience Limited
SinoMab BioScience Limited (stock code: 3681.HK) is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of immunological diseases. The Company's flagship product SM03 is a potential global first-in-target mAb against CD22 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is currently in Phase III clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis in China, which has been recognized as one of the significant special projects of Significant New Drugs Development of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan Period and the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan Period. In addition, the Company possesses other potential first-in-target and first-in-class drug candidates, some of which are already in clinical stage, with their indications covering rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), asthma, and other diseases with major unmet clinical needs.


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SHANGHAI, CHINA, Jun 7, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Hua Medicine (the "Company", stock code: 2552.HK) today announces that several clinical findings were presented on its global first-in-class drug, glucokinase activator (GKA) dorzagliatin, at the 82nd American Diabetes Association (ADA) Annual Scientific Sessions. A post-hoc analysis that involved two Phase III clinical trials of dorzagliatin indicated that dorzagliatin can significantly improve early phase insulin secretion and glucose sensitivity of patients of Type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Professor Wenying Yang of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, and former Chairman of the Chinese Diabetes Society and currently serving as Vice President of the Asian Association for Study of Diabetes and Hua Medicine's medical team, conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the two Phase III clinical trials of dorzagliatin monotherapy (SEED), for which she participated in, and metformin add-on (DAWN), for which she served as lead principal investigator. The analysis found significant correlation between subjects who reached blood glucose control rate after treatment and the improvement in select key measures of beta-cell secretion function, such as early phase insulin secretion index and disposition index. The study further indicated that as a global first-in-class GKA drug, dorzagliatin can restore the deteriorated glucose sensing function of glucokinase (GK) in T2D patients, systematically improve islet beta-cell function, improve early phase insulin secretion and glucose sensitivity, and thereby restore the ability of T2D patients to regulate blood glucose autonomously and promote glycosylated hemoglobin levels in T2D patients (HbA1c< 7%).

Conducted by Professor Jianhua Ma, Director of the Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Standing Member of the Chinese Diabetes Society, the results of the DREAM study were also presented at ADA 2022. It is the first time that the result on diabetes remission of dorzagliatin was presented at an international academic conference, attracting widespread attention from the participants. The DREAM study is a non-drug intervention observational clinical study initiated by certain researchers participating in the SEED study. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the remission of diabetes for 52 weeks after patients who completed the SEED study and whose blood glucose reached control targets, and stopped taking dorzagliatin as well as any other glucose-lowering medication. The results of the study showed that during the observation period when no anti-diabetes drugs were administered, the remission rate was 65.2% at 52 weeks. HbA1c, FPG and 2h-PPG levels were sustained during the 52 weeks after dorzagliatin discontinuation and beta-cell function remained stable. The study indicated that dorzagliatin has a promising treatment option for achieving remission of diabetes in newly diagnosed unmediated patients by rapidly restoring early phase insulin secretion and lasting improvement of beta-cell function.

Another clinical study called SENSITIZE also provided clinical scientific data of dorzagliatin in improving insulin secretion and glucose sensitivity. The study, initiated by Professor Juliana Chan, an internationally recognized endocrinologist from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explored the effects of dorzagliatin on patients with recent onset T2D and glucokinase-maturity-onset diabetes of the young (GCK-MODY or MODY-2). The study results of SENSITIZE were presented to the public for the first time at the ADA Annual Scientific Sessions. The study results, using glucose clamp technique, showed that dorzagliatin can significantly improve second phase insulin secretion and glucose sensitivity in GCK-MODY patients and can significantly improve basal insulin secretion rates in patients with recent onset T2D. As the speaker of the oral presentation and one of the researchers of the SENSITIZE study, Professor Elaine Chow from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, won the 2022 Women's Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association (WIN ADA) abstract award in the category of Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications in recognition of her outstanding results and significant contributions in the SENSITIZE study and the whole field of diabetes research. The potential application of dorzagliatin in this special rare disease population of GCK-MODY, has attracted the attention of the international diabetes research field.

The WIN ADA abstract award category of Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications is an important part of WIN ADA awards, voted by WIN ADA Advisory Group, consisting of expert clinicians, scientists, educators, public health practitioners, and other diabetes professionals. The awards are established to recognize outstanding women who have made significant contributions to diabetes research, clinical care, public health, education, and related areas.

Dr. Li Chen, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Hua Medicine, said, "In 2012, Hua Medicine proposed the development of GKA based on the concept of glucose homeostasis, the core of which is to treat diabetes from the root cause of T2D, addressing the issues of glucose sensitivity and insulin resistance. Concept innovation is the main focus of new drug innovation research, and Hua Medicine has spent ten years to select a safe and effective dosing regimen and clinical study proposal suitable for most diabetic patients in China, thereby contributing to the successful development of GKA. The clinical findings presented at the ADA 2022 further demonstrate the scientific concept of dorzagliatin to 'repair the sensor, restore homeostasis, and treat the underlying cause of diabetes'. The findings also provide a scientific basis for studies on dorzagliatin monotherapy and as a cornerstone drug in combination with other OADs for the treatment of T2D, as well as for achieving remission and regression of diabetes in patients with recent onset of T2D, and boost our confidence to further personalize diabetes treatment and to cure diabetes."

About Dorzagliatin
Dorzagliatin is an investigational first-in-class, dual-acting glucokinase activator, designed to control the progressive and degenerative nature of diabetes by restoring glucose homeostasis in patients with Type 2 diabetes. By fixing the defect of the glucose sensor function of glucokinase, dorzagliatin has the potential to restore the impaired insulin and GLP-1 secretion of patients with Type 2 diabetes and serve as a cornerstone therapy targeting the root cause of the disease. Two Phase III registered trials for dorzagliatin monotherapy and the combination of dorzagliatin and metformin respectively have been completed in China, as well as the studies on drug mechanism synergy with sitagliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) and empagliflozin (SGLT-2 inhibitor). In an investigator-initiated study named as DREAM, a 65.2% diabetes remission rate was observed when they stopped dorzagliatin and no other antidiabetes medication was taken during the 52-week study period. The Company has obtained the "Drug Manufacturing Permit" of dorzagliatin issued by the Shanghai Medical Products Administration, and has submitted its NDA to the National Medical Products Administration in order to realize the "First in Global, Start from China" mission for the benefits of diabetic patients worldwide.

About Hua Medicine
Hua Medicine is an innovative drug development company in China focused on developing novel therapies for patients worldwide with unmet medical needs. Hua Medicine teams up with global high caliber people and integrates global resources to explore breakthrough technologies and products and accelerate global innovation in diabetes care. Targeting the glucose sensor glucokinase, dorzagliatin, a novel oral diabetes drug restoring glucose sensitivity in T2D patients, has completed SEED and DAWN registration trials, and filed NDA in China. This global first-in-class glucokinase activator (GKA) has demonstrated its potential of achieving diabetes remission to help millions of diabetic patients around the world.

For more information
Hua Medicine
Website: www.huamedicine.com

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Email: ir@huamedicine.com

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HONG KONG, Jun 6, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – EC Healthcare (the "Company", which together with its subsidiaries is referred to as the "Group", SEHK stock code: 2138), the largest non-hospital medical group in Hong Kong*, is pleased to announce that the Group formed a joint venture company (the "JV Company") with a real estate investment management company, KaiLong Group ("KaiLong") and Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited ("AAI", SEHK stock code: 0711) to co-build a premium purpose-built medical grade building (the "Medical Building") in Hong Kong. The Group will be the anchor tenant of the Medical Building upon completion.

The Group has conditionally agreed to make initial capital contributions to the JV Company of up to HK$275 million, which will represent 30% of the total enlarged issued share capital of the JV Company. The Group will also enter into a lease for the entire Building for an initial term of 5 years with an option to extend a further 5 years. The Building is expected to complete construction by the fourth quarter of 2024.

The Medical Building will be located in the core commercial district in Tsim Sha Tsui on Cameron Road with an estimated lettable floor area of approximately 103,000 square feet. This unprecedented medical tenant-landlord collaboration aims to transform the space into a one-of-a-kind medical grade building envisioned to drive the growth and future strategy of the Group. The Group will also have the naming rights to the Medical Building, which is expected to raise the Group's brand awareness. The Group will customise medical space configurations in the Medical Building designed to accommodate specialised medical equipment, enabling the Group to deliver one-stop premium medical and medical aesthetic services. The Group target to consolidate its clinics currently scattered across different buildings in Kowloon and anticipates the purpose-built building to enhance medical and healthcare services quality and operational efficiency.

Ms. Ada Wong, Executive Director, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Investment Officer of EC Healthcare said, "The Medical Building will become the centrepiece of our Group's premium medical and healthcare services in Hong Kong. This strategic move underpins the Group's commitment to building up an enclosed healthcare ecosystem focused on high quality customer services and reinforce the Group's leading position as a one-stop comprehensive healthcare and medical service provider. Upon completion, the Medical Building will be a key pillar of the Group's strategy, offering a truly seamless experience of medical and healthcare services within a single building for its customers.

We are excited to form this unprecedented medical tenant-landlord collaboration and jointly build this project. With the combination of our Group's market leading expertise in healthcare services and our partners KaiLong's and AAI's strong real estate and construction experience, we look forward to elevating the provision of top quality medical and healthcare services to the next level in Hong Kong and beyond."

Mr. Ivan Ho, CEO Hong Kong of KaiLong Group, said "We are excited to partner with a well-established medical group, EC Healthcare and Asia Allied Infrastructure to build a purpose-built medical centre located at the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui in order to capture the growing demand for medical real estate in Hong Kong."

Mr. Dominic Pang, Chairman of Asia Allied Infrastructure, said, "AAI is delighted to be cooperating with EC Healthcare and KaiLong for this meaningful establishment. Contributing to the betterment of the lives of the Hong Kong people has always been AAI's corporate focus. With the society being increasingly conscious about health and wellness, we believe this project will not only be beneficial to the JV partners but also to the wider community."

About EC Healthcare
EC Healthcare is Hong Kong's largest non-hospital medical service provider*, leveraging its core businesses of preventive and precision medicine, and committed to developing medical artificial intelligence by integrating its multi-disciplinary medical services. The move, which is supported by the Group's high-end branding and quality customer services, is aimed at offering customers safe and effective healthcare and medical services with professionalism.

The Group principally engages in the provision of one-stop medical and health care services in Greater China. The Group provides a full range of services and products under its well-known brands, including those of its one-stop aesthetic medical solutions provider DR REBORN which has ranked first in Hong Kong by sales for years, primary care clinics jointly established with Tencent Doctorwork, chiropractic services centre SPINE Central, New York Spine and Physiotherapy Center NYMG, health management centre re:HEALTH, a vaccine centre Hong Kong Professional Vaccine HKPV, a comprehensive dental centre UMH DENTAL CARE, a diagnostic and imaging centre HKAI, an oncology treatment centre reVIVE, a day procedure centre HKMED, a specialty clinic SPECIALISTS CENTRAL and NEW MEDICAL CENTER, obstetrics and gynaecology specialist ZENITH MEDICAL CENTER AND PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS CENTRE, specialists central, a paediatric center PRIME CARE, cardiology center HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CARDIOLOGY CENTER, PathLab Medical Laboratories, a professional hair care center HAIR FOREST, Ophthalmology Center VIVID EYE and EC Veterinary Hospital and Imaging Center.

*According to independent research conducted by Frost and Sullivan in terms of revenue in 2020 and 2021
KaiLong Group

KaiLong Group is a leading real estate investment management company, which offers comprehensive investment and asset management services for a wide range of institutional and individual investors. The company is dedicated to identifying, evaluating, acquiring and managing quality assets for investors. Founded in 2014, KaiLong Group has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian and Guangzhou.

About Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited
Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited ("Asia Allied Infrastructure") is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 00711. The Group operates businesses such as construction engineering and management, property development and assets leasing, security and facility management, tunnel management, non-franchised bus services, as well as medical technology and healthcare. Its subsidiary "Chun Wo" is a renowned construction contractor and property developer in Hong Kong. Chun Wo's solid construction experience and professional capabilities have enabled the Group to seize suitable development opportunities, allowing the Group to enhance its overall profitability and investment value.

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HONG KONG, Jun 5, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Professor Elaine YK Chow from the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong has received the "2022 Women's Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association Abstract Award" in the category of Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications in recognition of her outstanding results and significant contributions in the SENSITIZE study and the whole field of diabetes research. The WIN ADA abstract award category of Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications is an important part of WIN ADA awards, voted by WIN ADA Advisory Group, consisting of expert clinicians, scientists, educators, public health practitioners, and other diabetes professionals. It honours women who have made significant contributions to the diabetes research, clinical care, public health, education, and related areas worldwide. The award was presented to Professor Elaine on June 3, 2022.

Professor Elaine will present a clinical study called SENSITIZE, which explored the effects of dorzagliatin, the global first-in-class drug, glucokinase activator (GKA) at the ADA Annual Scientific Sessions. This study has been initiated by Professor Juliana Chan, an international endocrinologist from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explored the effects of dorzagliatin on patients with recent onset T2D and glucokinase-maturity-onset diabetes of the young (GCK-MODY or MODY-2).



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HONG KONG, Jun 2, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – On June 1, 2022, TOT BIOPHARM (Stock code: 1875. HK) announced that the company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement with VIVO Suzhou Fund and Centerlab. Pursuant to the agreement, Vivo Suzhou Fund and Centerlab agreed to subscribe for 116,250,000 and 33,750,000 shares of TOT BIOPHARM, respectively, at a subscription price of HK$3.15 per share (Premium issuance based on the past 5 trading days) , with a total of 150,000,000 shares, accounting for approximately 24.38% of the company's issued capital as of the date of this announcement. After the completion of the subscription agreement, assuming that all outstanding share options under the company's Pre-IPO Share Option Scheme will not be exercised before completion, the shareholding ratio of Vivo Suzhou Fund and Centerlab will reach approximately 28.68% and 28.66%.

In recent years, TOT BIOPHARM has accelerated its strategic adjustment, strengthened its competitive advantage in the antibody conjugated drugs (ADC) field, and facilitated the construction of an industry-leading ADC one-stop commercialization platform. The company has made every effort to expand its one-stop innovative drug CDMO business, achieving breakthrough results and an ever-growing business scale. This business has already become a new engine for corporate growth.

The net proceeds from the Subscriptions have amounted to HK$470 million (approximately RMB 400 million), which will improve corporate liquidity, expand the capital base, optimize the capital structure, and provide support for corporate long-term growth. The company intends to apply the proceeds to: further expand CDMO business and strengthen project cooperation with domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies; promote the continuous construction of global R&D centers, improving ADC commercialization capacities, thereby improving product cost-effectiveness; complete the phase III clinical trial of TAA013and etc.; carry out production and marketing of Pusintin, Tazian, and Megaxia, etc.

Mr. Fu Shan, Chairman of TOT BIOPHARM, Managing Partner, Global Co-CEO and Asia CEO of Vivo Capital LLC, highlighted: "This transaction is another major milestone of TOT BIOPHARM development, which symbolizes its clear strategic planning and business performance have been highly recognized by shareholders. Over the past years, the management team of the company has always concentrated on the advantages of core competencies, optimized resource allocation, and built a differentiated pathway to create a domestically leading and internationally competitive ADC platform. They have also actively expanded CDMO business and established a commercialization platform with great competitive edges and industrial value, showing strong potential and sustainability, which gains shareholders and the board of directors' confidence in the company's future development!"

Dr. Liu Jun, CEO of TOT BIOPHARM, expressed: "It is a great honor to gain the strong support and recognition of our two major shareholders, Vivo Capital and Centerlab, during the critical period of us re-setting corporate priorities on commercialization and strategic adjustment with ADC as the core! By far, our strategic transformation and up-gradation to ADC CDMO have yielded remarkable results. This capital increase will further enhance our capital strength and provide financial support for corporate sustainability. In the upcoming days, we will continue take efforts to optimize capital structure, establish a diversified and sustainable business model, as well as to enhance the comprehensive strength of process development, accelerate the ADC commercialization process, and create a new engine for CDMO business growth, thereby strengthening the corporate earning capacity, and creating bountiful returns for shareholders and investors."

About Vivo Suzhou Fund and Other Funds Managed by Vivo Capital LLC
Vivo Suzhou Fund is a limited partnership established in the PRC managed by Vivo Equity Investment Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. , a private equity fund manager registered with the Asset Management Association of China which is directly wholly-owned and controlled by Vivo Capital LLC. Vivo VIII Funds, which are also funds managed by Vivo Capital LLC, have been shareholders of the Company since December 2015. Vivo Capital LLC's predecessor was founded in the United States in 1996. Vivo Capital LLC was incorporated in the State of California of the United States in 2005, and is an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Spanning private equity, public equity and venture capital, it is a global healthcare investment firm that focuses on finding and building value in healthcare companies in the United States and Greater China. It invests in both public and private healthcare companies through funds managed by it or its affiliate, including Vivo Suzhou Fund and Vivo VIII Funds, among others. In terms of assets under management (AUM), as of 31 December 2021, Vivo Capital LLC managed over US$6.4 billion in client assets on a discretionary basis.

About Centerlab
Centerlab was incorporated in Taiwan in 1959 and its shares were listed on the Taipei Exchange in 2003 (stock code: 4123). It is Taiwan's largest manufacturer of oral liquid pharmaceuticals, with a market share of about 70%. Its products are mainly oral solutions, including syrups, suspensions, emulsions and other dosage forms. It also engages in new drug research and development, active pharmaceutical ingredients, minimally invasive medical devices and other businesses through investments in other corporations. In recent years, Centerlab is known as the "Biotech Industrial Bank" in Taiwan for its track record of incubating or investing in various biotech and related companies listed or to be listed on the Stock Exchange or the Taipei Exchange (including the Company) and fostering their growth and development. As of 31 December 2021, Centerlab had total assets of NT$30.4 billion (equivalent to approximately US$1.1 billion). Centerlab (together with its former associate BioEngine Venture Capital Inc. and/or current associate BioEngine Technology) has been a shareholder of the Company since January 2011.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to TOT BIOPHARM, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. TOT BIOPHARM does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of TOT BIOPHARM with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond TOT BIOPHARM's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, TOT BIOPHARM's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

TOT BIOPHARM, the Directors and the employees of TOT BIOPHARM assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.


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Ingelheim, Germany and Singapore, Jun 2, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Boehringer Ingelheim and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) today announced a global licensing agreement under which Boehringer Ingelheim will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialize products based on a panel of innovative, tumor-specific antibodies from A*STAR. Boehringer Ingelheim aims to use these antibodies to direct therapeutic effector mechanisms such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T-cell engagers exclusively to tumor cells, and to that end develop a range of highly targeted cancer treatments.

"Boehringer Ingelheim believes that these promising antibodies in-licensed from A*STAR will help us advance potent therapeutic candidates against key molecular cancer targets," says Clive R. Wood, Senior Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim and continues: "We look forward to developing these assets for a broad range of cancers with the goal to deliver breakthrough opportunities for patients."

Boehringer Ingelheim is pioneering a range of versatile therapeutic platforms in order to develop innovative medicines that target the tumor directly (tumor cell-directed therapies) or that enable the immune system to target the tumor (immune cell-targeted therapies). One tumor cell-directed modality is antibody drug conjugates, which allows for delivery of toxins directly into tumor cells. Another is T-cell engagers facilitating direct contact between T-cells and tumor cells, leading to T-cell-mediated killing of the tumor. Both technologies are directed towards markers on the surface of cancer cells, also known as antigens, in order to attack tumor cells but spare healthy tissues.

The innovative antibodies from A*STAR can potentially enable the development of safer, more efficacious therapies as they selectively bind to antigens that are highly expressed on tumor cells but are absent on normal healthy tissues.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim will be responsible for further research, preclinical and clinical development as well as commercialization of targeted cancer therapies using the antibodies from A*STAR. A*STAR may receive payments totalling >100 million EUR in upfront and success-based development and commercialization milestones.

The technology used to identify the unique A*STAR antibodies resulted from a multi-institutional collaboration in Singapore. A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Institute of Bioengineering & Bioimaging (IBB) generated antibodies which exclusively target antigens that were initially identified from gastric cancer cells. Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), Singapore's national platform for drug discovery and development hosted by A*STAR, then optimized the antibodies and confirmed their applicability to a range of other solid cancers. EDDC also demonstrated the utility of these antibodies in directing different therapeutic modalities selectively to cancer cells.

Professor Damian O'Connell, Chief Executive Officer of EDDC, says, "As Singapore's national drug discovery and development platform, EDDC is proud to translate great science in Singapore into valuable assets that can enable the precision treatment of cancer. We believe that Boehringer Ingelheim, with its broad expertise and technologies, is the right partner to maximize the potential of these antibodies for the development of safer, more targeted therapies for cancer patients."

Professor Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive (Enterprise) of A*STAR, says, "These antibodies were developed in Singapore through close collaboration across multiple institutions. There was also strong support by the Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium. The agreement is testament to the best-in-class research taking place in Singapore. Cancer is a devastating disease, and we hope the fruits of our research can improve patient outcomes."

ANNEX A – Innovative antibody enables targeted treatment of solid tumours (Infographic)
ANNEX B – About the Research Partners in Singapore
See: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/Multimedia/ASTAR-BI.pdf

For media queries and clarifications, please contact:

Dr. Reinhard Malin
Innovation Unit Communications
Corporate Affairs
Boehringer Ingelheim
Tel: +49 6132 77-90815
Email: reinhard.malin@boehringeringelheim.com

Owen Sia
Assistant Head, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6517 7866
Email: owen_sia@hq.a-star.edu.sg

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Boehringer Ingelheim in Oncology

Boehringer Ingelheim is a family-owned company committed to pioneering treatment advancements in some of the most challenging and most impactful areas of cancer. Our goal is to transform the lives of people with cancer by delivering life-enhancing innovations in areas of high unmet need. Our aspiration is to deliver faster and better treatment options for people with cancer today, tomorrow and beyond. Our rich pipeline of next-generation oncology treatments is comprised of cancer cell-directed and immuno-oncology therapies, the smart combinations of which may hold the greatest benefit for most patients.

In immuno-oncology, we aim to turn poorly immunogenic "cold" tumors into immunogenic "hot" tumors through complementary platforms, including Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), T Cell Engagers (TCEs), oncolytic viruses, and cancer vaccines. For cancer cell-targeted treatments, we address the key drivers of cancer, e.g., KRAS, p53, Beta-catenin and MYC, where there has been no hope for patients for a long time.

We proactively collaborate with patients, advocacy organizations, the world's leading academic and industry, because we believe together, we can make a bigger impact in transforming the lives of people with cancer.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

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HONG KONG, Jun 1, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – TOT BIOPHARM (Stock code: 1875. HK) announced that the company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement with VIVO Suzhou Fund and Centerlab. Pursuant to the agreement, Vivo Suzhou Fund and Centerlab agreed to subscribe for 116,250,000 and 33,750,000 shares of TOT BIOPHARM, respectively, at a subscription price of HK$3.15 per share (Premium issuance based on the past 5 trading days) , with a total of 150,000,000 shares, accounting for approximately 24.38% of the company's issued capital as of the date of this announcement. After the completion of the subscription agreement, assuming that all outstanding share options under the company's Pre-IPO Share Option Scheme will not be exercised before completion, the shareholding ratio of Vivo Suzhou Fund and Centerlab will reach approximately 28.68% and 28.66%.

In recent years, TOT BIOPHARM has accelerated its strategic adjustment, strengthened its competitive advantage in the antibody conjugated drugs (ADC) field, and facilitated the construction of an industry-leading ADC one-stop commercialization platform. The company has made every effort to expand its one-stop innovative drug CDMO business, achieving breakthrough results and an ever-growing business scale. This business has already become a new engine for corporate growth.

The net proceeds from the Subscriptions have amounted to HK$470 million (approximately RMB 400 million), which will improve corporate liquidity, expand the capital base, optimize the capital structure, and provide support for corporate long-term growth. The company intends to apply the proceeds to: further expand CDMO business and strengthen project cooperation with domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies; promote the continuous construction of global R&D centers, improving ADC commercialization capacities, thereby improving product cost-effectiveness; complete the phase III clinical trial of TAA013and etc.; carry out production and marketing of Pusintin, Tazian, and Megaxia, etc.

Mr. Fu Shan, Chairman of TOT BIOPHARM, Managing Partner, Global Co-CEO and Asia CEO of Vivo Capital LLC, highlighted: "This transaction is another major milestone of TOT BIOPHARM development, which symbolizes its clear strategic planning and business performance have been highly recognized by shareholders. Over the past years, the management team of the company has always concentrated on the advantages of core competencies, optimized resource allocation, and built a differentiated pathway to create a domestically leading and internationally competitive ADC platform. They have also actively expanded CDMO business and established a commercialization platform with great competitive edges and industrial value, showing strong potential and sustainability, which gains shareholders and the board of directors' confidence in the company's future development!"

Dr. Liu Jun, CEO of TOT BIOPHARM, expressed: "It is a great honor to gain the strong support and recognition of our two major shareholders, Vivo Capital and Centerlab, during the critical period of us re-setting corporate priorities on commercialization and strategic adjustment with ADC as the core! By far, our strategic transformation and up-gradation to ADC CDMO have yielded remarkable results. This capital increase will further enhance our capital strength and provide financial support for corporate sustainability. In the upcoming days, we will continue take efforts to optimize capital structure, establish a diversified and sustainable business model, as well as to enhance the comprehensive strength of process development, accelerate the ADC commercialization process, and create a new engine for CDMO business growth, thereby strengthening the corporate earning capacity, and creating bountiful returns for shareholders and investors."

About Vivo Suzhou Fund and Other Funds Managed by Vivo Capital LLC
Vivo Suzhou Fund is a limited partnership established in the PRC managed by Vivo Equity Investment Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. , a private equity fund manager registered with the Asset Management Association of China which is directly wholly-owned and controlled by Vivo Capital LLC. Vivo VIII Funds, which are also funds managed by Vivo Capital LLC, have been shareholders of the Company since December 2015. Vivo Capital LLC's predecessor was founded in the United States in 1996. Vivo Capital LLC was incorporated in the State of California of the United States in 2005, and is an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Spanning private equity, public equity and venture capital, it is a global healthcare investment firm that focuses on finding and building value in healthcare companies in the United States and Greater China. It invests in both public and private healthcare companies through funds managed by it or its affiliate, including Vivo Suzhou Fund and Vivo VIII Funds, among others. In terms of assets under management (AUM), as of 31 December 2021, Vivo Capital LLC managed over US$6.4 billion in client assets on a discretionary basis.

About Centerlab
Centerlab was incorporated in Taiwan in 1959 and its shares were listed on the Taipei Exchange in 2003 (stock code: 4123). It is Taiwan's largest manufacturer of oral liquid pharmaceuticals, with a market share of about 70%. Its products are mainly oral solutions, including syrups, suspensions, emulsions and other dosage forms. It also engages in new drug research and development, active pharmaceutical ingredients, minimally invasive medical devices and other businesses through investments in other corporations. In recent years, Centerlab is known as the "Biotech Industrial Bank" in Taiwan for its track record of incubating or investing in various biotech and related companies listed or to be listed on the Stock Exchange or the Taipei Exchange (including the Company) and fostering their growth and development. As of 31 December 2021, Centerlab had total assets of NT$30.4 billion (equivalent to approximately US$1.1 billion). Centerlab (together with its former associate BioEngine Venture Capital Inc. and/or current associate BioEngine Technology) has been a shareholder of the Company since January 2011.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to TOT BIOPHARM, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. TOT BIOPHARM does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of TOT BIOPHARM with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond TOT BIOPHARM's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, TOT BIOPHARM's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

TOT BIOPHARM, the Directors and the employees of TOT BIOPHARM assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.



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