Lynk Pharmaceuticals has expanded its commercialization collaboration with Simcere for zemprocitinib to add dermatology indications, building on a partnership the two companies started in 2022 for rheumatology and immunology. Simcere gets exclusive commercialization rights for the drug in Chinese Mainland, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults and other dermatology indications. No deal terms were disclosed.
Zemprocitinib is a highly selective, oral, second-generation JAK1 inhibitor discovered and developed by Lynk. It is being developed for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis and ankylosing spondylitis. Its pivotal Phase III study in adults with moderate-to-severe AD is complete, and China's Center for Drug Evaluation accepted its New Drug Application for review in April 2026. The Phase III study for rheumatoid arthritis is complete, and the Phase III program for ankylosing spondylitis is underway.
The original 2022 agreement gave Simcere exclusive commercialization rights for zemprocitinib in RA and AS in the same territories. Lynk said the expanded deal leverages the two companies' strengths in R&D and commercialization and lays a foundation for commercial rollout across more disease areas.
Simcere President Yunshu Zhou said zemprocitinib has achieved positive clinical progress in atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis and that the collaboration will create synergy with Simcere's existing dermatology portfolio.
Lynk Founder, Chairman and CEO Zhao-Kui Wan said the AD indication is about to enter commercialization and that Simcere's commercialization experience in immunology complements Lynk's R&D.
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