Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the exclusive licensee of Connect Biopharma Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: CNTB) in China, has submitted its New Drug Application for rademikibart to the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents.
The regulatory submission represents a significant milestone for the next-generation IL-4Rα antibody in China's substantial atopic dermatitis market. According to Connect Biopharma CEO Barry Quart, "Atopic dermatitis remains a large and growing market in China, and rademikibart has the potential to significantly improve the condition for millions of patients."
Market Opportunity and Partnership Structure
The atopic dermatitis market in China represents considerable commercial opportunity, with an estimated 70 million patients affected by the condition. Under the exclusive license and collaboration agreement established in 2023, Simcere was granted exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize rademikibart for all indications in Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, while Connect retains rights in all other markets.
Connect Biopharma is eligible to receive milestone payments up to an aggregate remaining amount of approximately $110 million upon achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones. The company is also eligible to receive royalties at tiered percentage rates up to low double-digit percentages on net sales in Greater China.
Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Potential
Rademikibart is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα), a common subunit of interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4) and interleukin-13 receptor (IL-13). By binding with IL-4Rα, rademikibart can block the functions of IL-4 and IL-13 effectively, thereby blocking the T helper 2 (Th2) inflammatory pathway and achieving the goal of treating Th2-related inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis and asthma.
Connect Biopharma describes rademikibart as a "potentially best in class next generation IL-4Rα antibody" and has demonstrated activity in both atopic dermatitis and asthma. The company is currently conducting global studies of rademikibart for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma and COPD, areas with significant unmet need.
Broader Development Pipeline
Beyond atopic dermatitis, Connect and Simcere remain committed to advancing rademikibart for the treatment of a range of inflammatory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Rademikibart, formerly known as CBP-201, represents Connect Biopharma's lead product candidate in their focus on transforming care for inflammatory diseases.
Simcere Pharmaceutical is an innovation and R&D-driven pharmaceutical company focusing on therapeutic areas including neuroscience, anti-oncology, autoimmune and anti-infection. The company develops innovative therapies in disease areas that may have significant clinical needs in the future, driven by its in-house R&D efforts and synergistic innovation through strategic cooperation partnerships with innovative companies and research institutes.
