Recently, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093.HK) announced that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement (the “Agreement”) with AstraZeneca to globally develop, manufacture, and commercialize CSPC's Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) inhibitor YS2302018 (the “Compound”), along with any subsequent drugs or biologics developed that are comprised of or contain the compound (the “Product”).

Under the terms of the Agreement, AstraZeneca will gain rights to CSPC’s preclinical small molecule candidate YS2302018, an oral Lipoprotein(a) inhibitor, aimed at developing novel lipid-lowering therapies. It will also be used in single or combination therapies for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including its combination with AstraZeneca’s oral small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor, AZD0780. CSPC will receive an upfront payment of $100 million. Additionally, CSPC will be eligible for up to $1.92 billion in development and commercialization milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties.

About YS2302018

YS2302018 was discovered using CSPC’s AI-driven small molecule drug design platform. This platform leverages AI to analyze the binding patterns between target proteins and existing compound molecules, optimizing their drug-like properties. The result was the selection of an efficient small molecule inhibitor for Lp(a) with excellent development potential. The compound has demonstrated its ability to effectively bind with Apolipoprotein(a) (Apo(a)), preventing its assembly with ApoB-100 particles to form Lp(a). Preclinical data shows that the compound has superior pharmacokinetic characteristics and efficacy in both in vitro and animal models, with no significant safety risks, suggesting its potential as a new treatment to control cardiovascular risk in patients with elevated Lp(a) levels.

Sharon Barr, AstraZeneca's Global Executive Vice President and Head of Biopharmaceutical R&D, commented: “This compound will further strengthen our cardiovascular product pipeline and is expected to help patients better manage dyslipidemia and its related metabolic cardiovascular diseases. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to advancing therapies that address known risk factors and improve patient outcomes. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, with a large unmet patient need.”

Cai Dongchen, Chairman of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, stated: “Lipoprotein(a) is a very important target for treating dyslipidemia and is linked to various metabolic cardiovascular diseases. Through this collaboration with AstraZeneca and leveraging their global strength in clinical development and commercialization, we look forward to accelerating the development of the innovative small molecule Lp(a) inhibitor YS2302018, benefiting millions of patients worldwide.”