China has adjusted the tariff lines and rates for 37 medical devices, including surgical robots, in its newly released Import and export tax rules of the PRC (2023).
Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) Inc. is providing an exclusive license to GSK plc for a preclinical bispecific T-cell engaging antibody along with the option of three additional bi- and multispecific TCE antibodies developed by Wuxi. In exchange, Wuxi will receive an up-front payment of $40 million and up to $1.46 billion in additional payments for research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones across the four TCE antibodies. Wuxi Biologics, of Shanghai, is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.
Sonoscape Medical Corp. obtained marketing approval in China for its intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) diagnostic device and intravascular ultrasound diagnostic catheter.
China’s NMPA has approved Merck & Co. Inc.’s COVID-19 treatment molnupiravir for emergency use to combat the increasing number of cases in the country.
Cryofocus Medtech (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has raised HK$210 million (US$27 million) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Its shares opened at HK$18.5 apiece, fell over 6% and closed at HK$17.66 on the first trading day of Dec. 30, 2022. Its shares closed at HK$16.8 per share on Jan. 3, 2023.
Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co. Ltd. released phase II data showing its recombinant two-component COVID-19 vaccine Recov appeared more effective than Comirnaty (tozinameran), the mRNA vaccine developed by Biontech SE and Pfizer Inc., as a booster for users of inactivated vaccines.
Investment in the fourth quarter of 2022 was dismal in Asia Pacific, as the global venture community focused on preserving capital. And the region faced other challenges throughout the year, as leaders in Australia and across Asia became acutely aware of the vulnerabilities in their supply chains. But the year also saw some big deals and collaborations involving companies across Asia Pacific, along with advances in regenerative and digital medicine.
Zylox-Tonbridge Medical Technology Co. Ltd. has obtained marketing approval for its retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter Zylox Octoplus in China. “Zylox Octoplus is approved for the prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the peripheral vasculature,” a spokesperson at Zylox-Tonbridge told BioWorld. The approval is based on a multi-center, randomized and positive control clinical trial in China. The trial was conducted in nine peripheral vascular intervention centers in China.
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has received IND approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for two immuno-oncology bispecific antibodies, SIM-0348 and SIM-0237.
Perception Vision Medical Technologies Co. Ltd. (Pvmed) raised around $14 million in a series A financing round, to further develop artificial intelligence (AI) cancer treatment solutions for the two major tumor treatment methods, radiotherapy, and surgery.