Vcare Enters into Exclusive Partnership with Huadong Medicine to Commercialize its second-generation JAK1 inhibitor, VC005 tablets, in China

　　August 8, 2025 – Jiangsu Vcare Pharmatech Co., Ltd. (Jiangsu Vcare) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive strategic partnership with Huadong Medicine (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd. (000963.SZ, "Huadong Medicine"), for the commercialization rights of Jiangsu Vcare’s innovative product VC005 tablets in mainland China.

　　VC005 tablets is a second-generation highly selective JAK1 inhibitor independently developed by Jiangsu Vcare. The product focuses on multiple autoimmune diseases, including moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and ankylosing spondylitis. Currently, a Phase III clinical study for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is underway in China, and a Phase III trial for ankylosing spondylitis and a Phase II trial for vitiligo are been initiated.

　　Dr. Gong Yanchun, Co-founder and General Manager of Jiangsu Vcare, stated: "As a core clinical-stage asset of Jiangsu Vcare, VC005 tablets represents a key strategic initiative in the autoimmune field. This collaboration with Huadong Medicine not only underscores the significant commercial potential of our self-developed innovative drugs but also accelerate their commercialization and maximizing both their clinical and market value. Leveraging the product's differentiated clinical advantages and Huadong Medicine’s robust commercial capabilities in the autoimmune field, we are confident that VC005 tablets will reach more patients under this win-win partnership and achieve broad market recognition."

　　Mr. Lv Liang, Chairman and General Manager of Huadong Medicine, stated: "The autoimmune field is a key strategic focus for Huadong Medicine. VC005 tablets have the potential to treat multiple autoimmune diseases such as atopic dermatitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and vitiligo. This strategic partnership with Jiangsu Vcare further enriches our autoimmune pipeline and will strengthen Huadong Medicine’s leading position in China’s autoimmune market. Leveraging our comprehensive market coverage in China’s autoimmune sector, we are confident VC005 tablets will achieve broader and deeper market penetration in the future, benefiting more patients with autoimmune diseases."

　　Under the agreement, Jiangsu Vcare, as the marketing authorization holder (MAH), will be responsible for the R&D, registration, production, and supply of VC005 tablets. It will receive an upfront payment of RMB 50 million and registration milestone payments of up to RMB 180 million. Huadong Medicine will be responsible for the commercialization and market promotion of the product in mainland China.

　　About VC005 Tablets

　　VC005 tablets is a novel, potent, and highly selective second-generation JAK1 inhibitor with proprietary to Jiangsu Vcare. By selectively inhibiting JAK1, VC005 attenuates inflammatory responses and immune cell activation, and is currently in clinical development for a range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Its development encompasses moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and vitiligo, with the most advanced being the Phase III clinical trial in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. While retaining potent JAK1 inhibition, VC005 exhibits reduced inhibition of JAK2 (based on in vitro kinase assay results), potentially mitigating safety concerns associated with excessive JAK2 inhibition in clinical settings.

　　About Jiangsu Vcare

　　Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Nanjing, Jiangsu, Jiangsu Vcare employs over 900 people. The company is a high-tech biopharmaceutical enterprise dedicated to discovering innovative drugs and advanced therapies that address unmet medical needs through differentiated solutions. After 15 years of rapid growth, the company has established two core businesses: proprietary innovative drug R&D and the whole industry chain R&D and manufacturing services of chemical drugs. The company pioneered a synergistic "dual-engine" business model—collaborative development and self-sustaining value creation—summarized by the motto “Service Drive Innovation, Innovation Create Future. Its innovative pipeline consists of 5 clinical-stage projects and multiple preclinical projects targeting cardiovascular & cerebrovascular diseases, oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Guided by the founding mission "The Better Care, The Better Medicines," Jiangsu Vcare continues to develop differentiated Class 1 innovative drugs to realize its vision of building a healthier future through innovation.

　　About Huadong Medicine

　　Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 000963.SZ), founded in 1993 and headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Adhering to the company value of "Science Driven, Patient Centered", Huadong Medicine has gone through over 30 years of development, and has evolved into a large integrated pharmaceutical listed company integrating innovative pharmaceutical R&D, production, and distribution. Its four business segments include Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Commerce, Medical Aesthetics, and Industrial Microbiology. In 2024, the company achieved revenue of RMB 41.9 billion and employs over 10,000 people, possessing extensive commercial coverage and marketing capabilities.

Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 000963.SZ), founded in 1993 and headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Adhering to the company value of "Science Driven, Patient Centered", Huadong Medicine has gone through over 30 years of development, and has evolved into a large integrated pharmaceutical listed company integrating innovative pharmaceutical R&D, production, and distribution. Its four business segments include Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Commerce, Medical Aesthetics, and Industrial Microbiology. In 2024, the company achieved revenue of RMB 41.9 billion and employs over 10,000 people, possessing extensive commercial coverage and marketing capabilities.