Spray drying and particle engineering specialist Hovione has announced an exclusive license agreement for a preclinical ophthalmology programme, JX08, with Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals.
Ji Xing is a biotechnology company headquartered in Shanghai and backed by RTW Investments, a life sciences investment firm focused on advancing medicines for patients with ophthalmic and cardiovascular diseases. Under the license agreement, Ji Xing will receive global rights to JX08 and lead the life cycle of development from preclinical through commercialisation.
“We are excited to partner with Hovione and today’s agreement further strengthens Ji Xing’s ophthalmology pipeline beyond its current focus on presbyopia and dry eye disease,” said Peter Fong, PhD, Board Executive Director, Ji Xing. “In addition, this agreement marks a significant step for the company as it highlights its development from a China focused, late clinical-stage biotech to an innovation pioneer with full life cycle development capabilities to reach customers and patients globally.”
“We are extremely pleased to enter into this partnership with Ji Xing and help the company build upon its existing ophthalmology pipeline while further enhancing Hovione’s leadership position in spray dried dispersions” said Marco Gil, VP Sales at Hovione adding “Our highly experienced and committed teams can support pharma and biotech companies worldwide on their path to clinical success and commercialisation, offering the best scale-up science, extensive manufacturing capacity and an excellent approval track record.”