On February 5th, the Hong Kong-listed innovative pharmaceutical company EVEREST MED (01952) announced it has entered into an exclusive commercialization licensing agreement with MicuRx Pharmaceuticals, securing the exclusive rights to commercialize the global first-in-class dual-target peptide drug MT1013 in China and the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan). This collaboration signifies an upgrade in EVEREST MED's renal strategy from focusing on a single disease area to a systematic and platform-based development phase. MT1013 is expected to create synergistic effects with EVEREST MED's existing renal pipeline, strengthening the product portfolio, consolidating the company's leadership in the field of kidney and autoimmune diseases in Asia, and expanding product coverage from IgA nephropathy to a broader range of chronic kidney diseases. According to the agreement, EVEREST MED will pay MicuRx Pharmaceuticals RMB 200 million as an upfront payment, plus potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to RMB 1.04 billion. A Phase III clinical study is currently underway in China, with the related clinical development costs to be borne by MicuRx Pharmaceuticals. By introducing MT1013, a late-stage clinical innovative asset, EVEREST MED will further enrich its renal pipeline echelons, building a sustainable pipeline system that combines short-term returns, medium-term growth, and long-term potential, thereby laying a solid foundation for the company's long-term and stable development.
Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Wu Yifang, Chairman of the Board of EVEREST MED, stated, "Against the backdrop of a continuously increasing global population of chronic kidney disease patients, significant unmet clinical needs remain for secondary hyperparathyroidism. As a late-stage clinical innovative asset with a global first-in-class dual mechanism of action, MT1013 has the potential to offer a novel treatment option for SHPT patients. This collaboration is a key strategic move for the company to enhance its innovative pipeline and expand the boundaries of renal treatment." Dr. Wang Bing, Founder and Chairman of MicuRx Pharmaceuticals, said, "EVEREST MED possesses profound market experience and a mature commercialization system in the nephrology field, making it an ideal partner to advance MT1013 for the benefit of patients in China and globally. The unique dual-target mechanism of MT1013 holds promise for bringing breakthroughs and additional benefits to SHPT treatment."
It is understood that secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is one of the most common serious complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The disease leads to a series of pathological changes including disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, elevated parathyroid hormone, bone lesions, and vascular calcification, significantly increasing the risks of fractures, cardiovascular events, and death, making it a critical factor affecting the prognosis of CKD patients. MT1013 is a global first-in-class dual-target peptide drug independently developed by MicuRx Pharmaceuticals, which was selected for the "Late-Breaking" session at the 2025 American Society of Nephrology (ASN) annual meeting. MT1013 innovatively combines a dual mechanism of action simulating the "calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) + osteogenic growth peptide (OGP)," addressing the balance of PTH, calcium, and phosphorus metabolism. This novel design allows it to control the condition from its source for the first time in a creative manner when treating SHPT and related bone metabolic diseases, and it can actively promote bone formation and repair by directly activating osteogenic pathways, achieving a therapeutic innovation upgrade from "indirectly inhibiting bone resorption" to "actively promoting bone formation."
Furthermore, MT1013 is planned to be expanded to additional indications, including chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) with osteoporosis and SHPT in patients not yet on dialysis. Currently, the global population of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has increased from 905.2 million in 2019 to 1.0655 billion in 2024, and is projected to exceed 1.2 billion by 2030 and 1.5 billion by 2035. During the same period, the SHPT patient population is expected to reach 189.9 million by 2030 and 221.7 million by 2035. According to disclosures in MicuRx Pharmaceuticals' prospectus, MT1013 is anticipated to be commercialized in early 2028. The market size for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) drugs in China is projected to reach RMB 5.5 billion by 2030 and RMB 14.1 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.5%. Coupled with continuously growing patient demand, MT1013 has broad market prospects. MT1013 has completed key Phase II clinical studies. Data indicate that in maintenance hemodialysis patients with SHPT, MT1013 demonstrated potent and sustained iPTH suppression capability. In a head-to-head comparison with etelcalcetide, it showed advantages in comprehensive management, validating the potential clinical benefits of its unique dual mechanism for the comprehensive management and improvement of bone health in SHPT patients.
Comments