Idorsia out-licenses daridorexant in China

Swiss biotech Idorsia (SIX: IDIA) has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with China’s Simcere Pharmaceutical (HK: 2096) for the commercialization of its dual orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant, a treatment for adult patients with insomnia, in China.

"This licensing agreement represents an important and exciting step in pursuing Simcere’s mission of providing today’s patients with medicines of the future,” commented Jinsheng Ren, chairman and chief executive of Simcere, noting that there are over 200 million people in China who suffer from chronic insomnia that may benefit from daridorexant, and that Simcere has a proven track record of successfully developing and marketing innovative Central Nervous System therapies in China. In collaboration with Idorsia, we hope to bring another impactful medicine to millions of people.”

Under the agreement, Simcere will be granted an exclusive right to develop and commercialize daridorexant in the Greater China region (Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau), one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets. Simcere will be responsible for funding and conducting a local development program with Chinese patients. Simcere successfully commercializes Sanbexin for acute ischemic stroke and daridorexant will expand Simcere’s pipeline of Central Nervous System (CNS) products in China.