Cytokinetics and Sanofi partner to develop aficamten in Greater China

Cytokinetics, Incorporated announced that Sanofi will acquire exclusive rights to develop and commercialize aficamten from Corxel Pharmaceuticals (CORXEL) for the treatment of patients with obstructive and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Greater China. Aficamten is a next-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor for the potential treatment of patients with HCM.

In 2020, CORXEL (formerly Ji Xing) acquired the rights to develop and commercialize aficamten in Greater China (including the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR, and Taiwan) from Cytokinetics in accordance with Cytokinetics’ global registration programs. Aficamten received Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) from The Center for Drug Evaluation of the China National Medical Products Administration which recently accepted the New Drug Application for aficamten tablets for the treatment of oHCM for Priority Review.

Sanofi will now acquire CORXEL’s rights relating to aficamten in Greater China for an undisclosed amount. Cytokinetics remains eligible to receive up to $150 million in development and commercial milestone payments from Sanofi as well as royalties in the low-to-high teens on future sales of aficamten in Greater China. Cytokinetics is now also eligible to receive additional undisclosed payments in connection with the execution of the agreement between Sanofi and CORXEL.

“We have enjoyed a productive collaboration with CORXEL and appreciate all they have done to advance aficamten in Greater China,” said Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics’ President and CEO. “We now look forward to partnering with Sanofi with shared objective to leverage their cardiovascular expertise and expand the reach of aficamten to patients suffering from HCM throughout Greater China.”