RuiYi signs agreement with Genor BioPharma for development of RYI-008 in China

May 16 2013

RuiYi Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive license and collaborative development agreement with Genor BioPharma for the development of RYI-008 in China. RYI-008 is a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody with a unique pharmacologic profile that has the potential to define a new paradigm in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.

"RYI-008, with its unprecedented femtamolar potency and amazing long half-life has a therapeutic profile of once monthly, low milligram, subcutaneous dosing," said Paul Grayson , president and CEO of RuiYi. "RYI-008 is a tremendous candidate for this novel development strategy, with approximately 4.1 million biologic treatment naive rheumatoid arthritis patients in China in need of a cost effective therapeutic option.  The team at Genor has deep global development experience and strong commercial, regulatory, and government relationships in China, making them the ideal development partner. We look forward to working with them to deliver novel, breakthrough therapeutics for the Chinese healthcare system."

Joe Zhou , CEO of Genor BioPharma, commented, "The clinical data on IL-6 modulation continues to be extremely favorable in multiple diseases.  The selection by RuiYi and Genor of RYI-008 for development shows a unique understanding of a changing healthcare environment in China where the cost-effective delivery of novel efficacious medicines is of significant importance."