December 17, 2021

Press Release: Avilex Pharma and Simcere announce strategic partnership

Avilex Pharma and Simcere announce strategic partnership to develop and commercialize novel treatments for acute ischemic stroke in greater china

Copenhagen, Denmark, December 17, 2021

Avilex Pharma ApS (Avilex), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative medicines for neurological disorders, and Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (HKEX: 2096) (Simcere) today announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership to develop and commercialize Avilex’ lead program AVLX144 in Greater China.

The agreement grants Simcere an exclusive regional license to develop and commercialize AVLX-144, Avilex’ Phase 2-ready dimeric PSD-95 inhibitor, for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and other neurological conditions, as well as access to certain of the company’s library of early peptide candidates. Under the terms of the agreement, Avilex Pharma will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and will also be eligible for payments upon achievement of certain development and sales milestones, with all components amounting to a total of over USD 175 million (DKK 1.15 billion). In addition, Avilex Pharma will receive royalties on sales. Further financial details were not disclosed.

“We are extremely pleased to be entering into this partnership with Simcere as they are one of China’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and have established exceptional capabilities in developing and launching effective therapies for AIS. We have full confidence in the Simcere team in bringing our life-saving medicines to patients in need,” says Kristian Strømgaard, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Avilex Pharma.

“As a founding investor of Avilex we are extremely pleased with this important partnership with Simcere which will expedite the development of AVLX-144 in China to the benefit of patients suffering from AIS. Furthermore, this collaboration validates Avilex’ differentiated approach for targeting PSD-95, a clinically validated target for AIS, and will further fuel our internal efforts to develop unique second generation compounds towards clinical development,” says Morten Graugaard Døssing, Partner at Novo Holdings.

About Avilex Pharma
Avilex Pharma is a clinical stage biotech company developing a novel class of neuroprotectants based on inhibiting PSD-95, a clinically validated mechanism in the treatment of AIS. The company’s proprietary dimeric ligands target two protein modules of PSD-95 simultaneously, leading to key advantages, such as exceptionally high affinity to PSD-95, excellent stability, and enhanced neuroprotective properties in vivo. Avilex Pharma is also developing next-generation plasmin-resistant PSD-95 inhibitors advancing rapidly through preclinical development

Avilex is a start-up from the University of Copenhagen, established by Novo Holdings, and supported by funding from the Wellcome Trust, the Danish Innovation Fund, and the Danish Growth Fund. About Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited is rapidly transitioning to an innovation and R&D-driven pharmaceutical company, with a mission of “providing today’s patients with medicines of the future.” It has established a national key laboratory of translational medicine and innovative pharmaceuticals. Simcere has
a diversified product portfolio in strategically focused therapeutic areas, including oncology, central nervous system diseases and autoimmune diseases, with leading positions in their respective therapeutic segments and/or established track record. Its vigorous in-house R&D efforts and extensive R&D collaborations have made it a strategic cooperation partner with world leading pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, in an effort to bring more global life science breakthroughs to China. For more information,
please visit www.simcere.com.

For Additional information contact:Kristian Strømgaard, Professor, PhDCEO & CSO, Avilex PharmaPhone: (+45) 5123 6114E-mail: kristian.stromgaard@avilexpharma.com