[San Diego (U.S.) = E-Daily Reporter SONG YOUNG-DOO ] At the BioUSA event held in San Diego, USA, until just last year, #AriBio had to actively seek out global pharmaceutical companies and investors to introduce the company and request meetings. However, the atmosphere this year was markedly different. After signing a 7 trillion won global contract for AR1001 with China’s Fuxing Pharmaceutical, global companies took the initiative to propose collaborations. The company held over 70 meetings to discuss its next-generation pipeline, investment, and joint development.

This is why the agreement with Fosun Pharma is seen as more than just a large-scale technology transfer; it has elevated AriBio’s global profile and negotiating power to a new level. In particular, as Fosun Pharma has shown interest not only in AR1001 but also in the company’s other pipeline candidates, the potential for further collaboration is growing.

Fred Kim, Head of AriBio’s U.S. Branch, who was interviewed by PharmEdaily—the premium pharmaceutical and biotech content platform of Edaily—at the Bio International Convention (Bio USA) that opened on the 23rd (local time) in San Diego, U.S., began by saying that he could feel the shift in the company’s standing firsthand.

“In the past, I spent most of my time explaining our company, but this year was different,” said Fred Kim. “The people I met with were already aware of our agreement with Fosun.” He added, “Whereas in the past we had to introduce our company and explain our technology first, now it’s often the other party who initiates the meeting or proposes specific collaboration plans. It’s clear that the agreement with Fosun has served as a catalyst for enhancing our global credibility.”

At this year’s Bio USA, AriBio conducted approximately 70 business meetings without even having its own exhibition booth. The meetings went beyond simple introductions and focused on substantive business development, including △license-in and license-out △investment attraction △joint development △and vaccine platform collaboration.

When asked about the content of the meetings held during Bio USA, he said, “Discussions at this event spanned a wide range of areas, including the introduction of next-generation pipelines, business development for AR1005—a treatment for Lewis body dementia—vaccine platform collaboration, medical devices, and investment attraction,” adding, “I could feel firsthand at the event that the perception of our company has changed significantly since the AR1001 agreement.”

While the market perceives the agreement with Fuxing Pharmaceuticals as focused on the global rights to AR1001, the possibility has been raised that the actual scope of collaboration may be broader.

Fred Kim, the branch manager, emphasized, “Fuxing did not sign the agreement based solely on AR1001,” adding, “They are showing considerable interest in our other pipeline assets as well, and there is ample potential for further collaboration.” In fact, even before the final decision on exercising the option was made, Fuxing reportedly communicated its intention to provide the personnel and resources necessary for the approval preparation and development process and is proactively conducting manufacturing-related research.

He said, “We have received a commitment to actively provide the necessary personnel and resources, and we are also conducting manufacturing-related research together,” adding, “I sense that our partner’s commitment is quite strong.”

Potential for Additional Investment; Pushing Ahead with Technology Transfer for Lewy Body Dementia Treatment

Fred Kim, Managing Director, said, “In addition to the publicly announced agreement, discussions regarding investment are also underway,” adding, “Although nothing has been finalized yet, we plan to disclose it to the market once a decision is made.” The market anticipates that if additional investment materializes, the financial capacity needed to expand the indications for AR1001 and develop the follow-up pipeline will be further strengthened.

In fact, AriBio has secured an initial option payment of $60 million (approximately 82 billion won) through its global agreement with Fuxing Pharmaceutical. Additionally, if the option is exercised following the release of topline results from the global Phase 3 clinical trial, the company will receive an additional $80 million (approximately 109 billion won). Market observers believe that if the company succeeds in securing additional investment on top of this, its enhanced financial resources will significantly accelerate the expansion of indications—such as vascular dementia for its core pipeline candidate AR1001—and the development of combination therapies, as well as the acquisition of next-generation pipeline candidates and the implementation of global business development (BD) strategies.

In addition, the possibility of technology transfer for AR1005—a treatment for Lewy body dementia and a follow-up to the oral Alzheimer’s treatment AR1001—has emerged. According to Managing Director Fred Kim, discussions with global companies are ongoing regarding AR1005, which is currently undergoing a Phase 2 clinical trial in Korea, with both licensing-out and joint development options under consideration.

Fred Kim explained, “There are currently no approved treatments for Lewy body dementia, making it a market with significant unmet needs.” He added, “Since the clinical trial period is relatively shorter than for Alzheimer’s, we can accelerate development, and depending on the results, we are reviewing various strategies such as technology transfer or joint development.”

The FDA Reviewed AR1001 Global Phase 3 Data First

In addition to Alzheimer’s treatments, significant progress was also made in the field of blood-based Alzheimer’s diagnostics. AriBio collaborated with Japan’s Fujirebio to conduct research on blood biomarkers, and samples collected during the global Phase 3 clinical trial were utilized in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process.

Fred Kim, Managing Director, said, “The fact that our clinical data was used in the FDA approval documentation of a global diagnostics company signifies that the quality and reliability of our data have been recognized,” adding, “Ultimately, I believe we are heading toward an era where Alzheimer’s is diagnosed through blood tests and managed with oral medications.”

He continued, “At this year’s Bio USA, we confirmed that perceptions of AriBio in the global market have changed since our agreement with Fuxing,” and emphasized, “Going forward, we will demonstrate our growth not merely as an R&D company, but as a company that commercializes a diverse pipeline in the global market.”