Recently, Jiangsu Weikaier Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Jiangsu Weikaier") and Beijing Sunshine Novo Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Sunshine Novo") officially signed a cooperative research and development agreement. The two parties will give full play to their respective advantages in the field of new drug research and development, and work together to promote the research and development of Jiangsu Weikaier's Class 1 innovative drug VC005 topical gel (specification: 1%) (hereinafter referred to as "cooperative product"), and accelerate the product's market launch process so as to benefit the majority of dermatitis patients as soon as possible.
The product boasts strong capabilities and demonstrates outstanding clinical potential.
VC005 topical gel (1% concentration), a novel, locally applied, second-generation highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, is clinically used to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). In completed Phase II clinical trials, it demonstrated excellent safety and remarkable efficacy—not only was systemic exposure significantly lower than that of other marketed topical drugs targeting the same target, providing a strong safety barrier for long-term skin use, but it also significantly improved patients' conditions and quality of life through rapid relief of itching and deep skin lesions. This collaborative product, with its differentiated advantages, demonstrates outstanding clinical potential and is one of the core innovative achievements in Jiangsu Weikai's new drug pipeline development.
Collaborative empowerment activates the dual engines of R&D and commercialization.
According to the agreement, Jiangsu Weikaier, as the marketing authorization holder of the collaborative product, will continue to lead the clinical development and registration application work, while Sunshine Novo will bear the costs of Phase III clinical research and development. Subsequently, both parties will share the commercialization revenue of the collaborative product in mainland China according to the agreed proportion, forming a strategic collaborative model of complementary advantages, shared risks, and shared benefits. This collaboration represents an important exploration of innovative drug development models for Jiangsu Weikaier and is a powerful testament to its R&D strength and industry influence. Through this strategic cooperation, the company further optimizes its R&D funding allocation, strengthens resource guarantees during the clinical development phase, and injects strong momentum into the efficient and high-quality advancement of Phase III clinical trials for VC005 topical gel (specification: 1%).
Building a Healthy Future Through Industry Collaboration
Jiangsu Weikai'er is accelerating the transformation and implementation of innovative achievements through flexible and diversified cooperation strategies in its new drug development. This cooperation will further expand Sunshine Novo's layout in the field of innovative drugs and obtain sustainable commercial returns in the future commercialization stage. Both parties look forward to establishing a long-term and stable strategic partnership based on the cooperative products, working together to promote the research and development and commercialization of domestically produced innovative drugs, and striving to provide patients with better treatment options through high-quality innovative drugs, contributing to the innovation and upgrading of China's pharmaceutical and health industry.

Regarding the cooperative product

VC005, it is a novel, potent, and highly selective second-generation JAK1 inhibitor, which has been developed into oral and topical formulations in various strengths, building a product matrix covering multiple indications. The cooperative product—VC005 topical gel (strength: 1%)—is a novel skin-exposed topical gel targeting JAK1. It uses a unique drug dosage form matrix, which, while meeting the requirements of high drug loading, also has high-quality stability, safety and non-irritation, and a refreshing gel texture, better improving patient medication adherence. In the completed Phase II clinical trial for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, the collaborative product demonstrated significant antipruritic effects and skin lesion recovery from the initial treatment stage. Itching was relieved on the first day, and the mean pruritus index (NRS) score decreased by approximately 14% within 12 hours. After one week of treatment, approximately 30% of patients showed ≥50% improvement in skin lesions (EASI-50 response), significantly improving patients' quality of life. Regarding safety, the incidence of TRAE was lower in the excipient group, no SAR occurred, and patients tolerated it well. In terms of metabolism, plasma exposure was extremely low, with even lower exposure in adolescents, and no accumulation occurred, potentially addressing the black box warning issue of existing topical drugs targeting the same target.

About Sunshine Novo:

Beijing Sunshine Novo Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd. (688621), founded in 2009, is a pioneer in the field of pharmaceutical R&D in China, a listed company on the Science and Technology Innovation Board, and has been recognized as a National High-tech Enterprise and a specialized and innovative "Little Giant" enterprise. With nearly two decades of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, the company has transformed into an innovation-driven comprehensive pharmaceutical R&D platform, supported by a three-in-one ecosystem of "R&D services + pipeline development + new quality industrial chain". Relying on its profound technical accumulation and rich project experience in advantageous fields such as endocrinology, respiratory, and analgesia, the company has built an innovative pharmaceutical R&D complex with independent R&D capabilities, clinical translation capabilities, and industrial chain integration capabilities.

The company consistently anchors its R&D on unmet clinical needs, focusing on real-world clinical challenges such as tumor cachexia and uremic pruritus. It strategically positions itself in cutting-edge fields like PDC, siRNA, AOC, Invivo CAR-T, novel nanoconjugates and precision nanodelivery technologies, and innovative animal health, building unique original core capabilities. Based on this forward-looking strategy, it has created a diversified Class 1 innovative drug pipeline covering mRNA small nucleic acids, peptide drugs, siRNA, and CAR-T therapies. It has successfully assisted multiple small molecule Class 1 innovative drugs in completing clinical trials and obtaining approvals, and has further empowered the clinical translation of blockbuster projects such as VC005 topical gel with its robust innovative strength.

Sunshine Novo is steadily evolving from a participant in traditional pharmaceutical R&D to a value co-creator in industrial development. With its comprehensive capability layout, original technological strength, and deep industrial synergy, it continues to create high value for the pharmaceutical industry, injecting its unique core strength into the innovative transformation of China's pharmaceutical industry.

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