Brii Biosciences Limited, a biotechnology company focused on addressing high unmet medical needs, has announced a licensing and technology transfer agreement with Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co., Ltd. Under the agreement, Joincare Group will gain exclusive rights to develop, register, and commercialize BRII-693 in the Greater China region.
As part of the deal, Brii Bio will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for additional development and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties based on net product sales.
BRII-693 is a next-generation synthetic lipopeptide antibiotic being developed to treat critically ill patients with infections caused by multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) gram-negative bacteria, such as carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacterales. Designed through structural modification of the polymyxin scaffold, BRII-693 aims to improve antibacterial activity while reducing the kidney and nervous system toxicity associated with older polymyxin-based drugs.
Phase 1 studies of BRII-693 in both Chinese and non-Chinese healthy participants have shown a favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profile. Brii Bio previously received Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to begin a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic bridging study, supporting a future Phase 3 registration trial for hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia.
Dr. Zhi Hong, CEO of Brii Bio, emphasized the importance of addressing antimicrobial resistance in China. “With Joincare Group’s strong track record in hospital antibiotics, this partnership allows us to accelerate BRII-693’s path to patients in urgent need of new treatment options,” he said.
Joincare Group CEO Mr. Nanqi Lin expressed confidence in the drug’s potential, citing its innovative design and promising early data. “This collaboration enhances our strategy in the anti-infection field and brings us closer to delivering a much-needed therapeutic solution,” he said.
The agreement marks a strategic step for both companies in tackling one of the most pressing threats in global healthcare—drug-resistant bacterial infections.