AsianScientist (Aug. 22, 2014) – ZAI Lab Ltd, a Chinese biotech company, has entered into a global licensing agreement with Sanofi for two novel compounds for the potential treatment of chronic respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The compounds were discovered by Sanofi and are currently in pre-clinical stage.
Under the terms of the agreement, ZAI Lab will be responsible for global development, manufacturing and commercialization of the two clinical ready novel programs. Sanofi will potentially receive development and regulatory approval milestones and tiered royalties from the global net sales of the licensed products. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Chronic respiratory diseases are a group of chronic diseases affecting the airway and the other structures of the lungs. Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from these diseases. In China, according to WHO, chronic respiratory diseases are the second leading cause of death. It is estimated that over 50 percent of Chinese men smoke and the worsening pollution levels is also a major contributor.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a condition marked by inflammation and destruction of the airways and lung, typically brought about by longstanding smoking. Persons affected by COPD have prominent symptoms of cough, phlegm, shortness of breath and exercise limitation. The worsening of respiratory symptoms, caused principally by viral infections, are a major contributor to the health care costs and serious consequences for COPD patients.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, usually associated with airway hyper-responsiveness and variable airflow obstruction, that is often reversible spontaneously or under treatment.
Dr. Samantha Du, founder and CEO of ZAI Lab said: “ZAI Lab’s vision is to develop innovative medicines that can treat patients with serious medical conditions including chronic respiratory diseases. Chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma are becoming a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in China with no effective treatments. By working with Sanofi, ZAI Lab intends to initiate the development activities to bring effective therapies to patients globally.”
——–
Source: ZAI Lab.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
