Jan. 17, 2025 – Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (2096.HK, "Simcere") and Guangzhou Fermion Technology Co., Ltd. ("Fermion") have jointly announced a partnership for the clinical development of FZ002-037, an innovative analgesic candidate targeting somatostatin receptor 4 (SSTR4).
FZ002-037 is a highly selective, orally administered small-molecule SSTR4 agonist developed by Fermion. Preclinical studies indicate that this target primarily acts on peripheral pain pathways, offering analgesic effects without central nervous system (CNS)-related side effects or addiction potential. Therefore, the drug holds promise as a novel option for patients requiring long-term pain management. This project is the first in China and the second in the world targeting SSTR4 which has entered the clinical-stage development. Phase I clinical trials have been completed in China for this project, and a Phase II study for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain is set to commence. The indications may extend to various other chronic and acute pain conditions in the future.
Mr. Gaobo Zhou, Chief Investment Officer of Simcere, stated: "Pain is associated with numerous diseases, significantly compromising patients' quality of life. There remains a substantial unmet clinical need in this field, which we, as a pharmaceutical company, consider a key 'pain point' in medical research. We look forward to collaborating with early-stage research partners to accelerate the development of more effective and safer innovative analgesic therapies for patients."
Dr. Deco Deng, Founder of Fermion, commented: "We are excited to partner with Simcere, a leading pharmaceutical enterprise. As the first highly selective SSTR4 agonist in China and the second in the world to enter clinical development, we hold tremendous anticipation and confidence in FZ002-037. With Simcere's support, we believe FZ002-037 will advance rapidly through development, bringing better treatment options to patients suffering from pain conditions."
Under the agreement, Simcere will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize FZ002-037 in the Greater China region (the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). Fermion will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments, and tiered royalties based on future sales.
About Fermion
Fermion is a clinical-stage AI-enabled drug discovery company with a specialized focus on small molecules. Established in 2019, the company focuses on developing differentiated BIC/FIC products that target early-stage novel targets in the central nervous system (CNS) and autoimmune diseases, and is committed to becoming an AI- and data-driven innovator in drug discovery and development. Fermion's proprietary Drug Studio AI drug discovery platform leverages target selectivity and tissue-specific targeting as key breakthroughs. The platform has been industrialized and integrated into a comprehensive AI-powered drug development solution.