Shanghai Bao Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (“Bao Pharma”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Suzhou Centergene Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (“Centergene”) have entered into license and supply agreements with Organon China, a healthcare company with a focus on women’s health, for innovative investigational asset in assisted reproductive technology (ART) SJ02 on September 12, 2024. Organon China will acquire the exclusive commercialization rights of SJ02 in China Mainland.

SJ02, developed by Centergene, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bao Pharma, is a long-acting recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone carboxyl-terminal peptide fusion protein (FSH-CTP) designed for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in combination with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist to facilitate the development of multiple follicles in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.

Positioned to potentially become the first long-acting FSH available in China, SJ02 is currently under review by China’s regulatory agency. The current COS regimen in ART requires daily FSH injections until the day of hCG administration. SJ02 is designed to initiate and maintain follicular growth in the ovaries for one week. If approved, a single-dose injection of SJ02 has the potential to offer an alternative to the current treatment regimen.

According to the terms of the agreement, Bao Pharma and its wholly-owned subsidiary Centergene will receive a USD12 million upfront payment with additional development and commercial milestone payments.

The Fangda team provided comprehensive legal services to Bao Pharma and Centergene. The team was led by Corporate partners Josh SHIN and Henry HE in transaction structures design, transaction documents negotiations and revisions. Team members included counsel Bella Wang, associates Audrey Luo and Essie Zhao.