The latest from Chinese pharma, including a setback for CanSinoBIO’s Canadian COVID-19 vaccine trial, Bayer’s new Beijing manufacturing plant, and biotech Antengene’s potential USD 200 million IPO in Hong Kong.
Canada scraps COVID-19 vaccine trial with Chinese CanSinoBIO
Canada has decided to cancel a coronavirus vaccine development agreement with the Chinese pharmaceutical company CanSino due to delay in the shipping of drugs. The National Research Council of Canada said Thursday in a statement the CanSino vaccine intended for phase one clinical trials has not been approved by Chinese customs for shipment to Canada.
China puts too many liabilities on MAHs
https://www.thepharmaletter.com/article/china-puts-too-many-liabilities-on-mahs
China made the marketing authorization holder (MAH) scheme official in the country in December last year after running it as a three-year pilot program. The move was largely welcomed by China’s pharma industry, especially start-ups which have the research capacity but lack the funds to build a manufacturing facility. However, the current MAH policy still has a lot of room to improve, particularly in terms of defining MAH’s responsibilities, said several speakers at a two-day conference held on August 20 in Shanghai.
Bayer aims for 40% more output at Beijing production site with new USD 59M plant
Back in 2016, Bayer’s Beijing supply center became the largest drug packaging site in the company’s entire global production network. Now, the German drugmaker is revving up its Chinese operations yet again, this time with a plant expansion that aims to tap into a nationwide public health initiative.
Bayer kicked off construction of a new production and supply facility at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Wednesday, pegged to boost yearly output in Beijing by roughly 40 percent.
Ardian’s Unither buys Chinese pharma company NRB
With this acquisition, Unither plans to accelerate the development of its business in China and support both Chinese and international pharmaceutical customers active in the ophthalmology and respiratory areas.
Antengene Cleared to Stage USD 200 Million IPO in Hong Kong
http://www.chinabiotoday.com/articles/antengene-hk-ipo
Antengene, a three-year old Shanghai startup originally backed by Celgene, will conduct a Hong Kong IPO that is expected to raise $200 million. Focused on oncology, Antengene has 12 projects in its portfolio, a mix of in-licensed drugs and in-house R&D that it expects to test as monotherapies and in combinations. Six of its assets have started clinical trials. Last month, the company completed a $97 million Series C financing. In 2018, Antengene announced a $162 million deal to develop four Karyopharm assets in China.
