Everest Medicines and Hainan Herui Reach Understanding on Nefecon®-Related Patents and Enter into Commercialization Collaboration

Shanghai, China – June 24, 2026 – Everest Medicines (HKEX: 1952.HK), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative medicines, announced today that since the launch of Nefecon®, it has benefited a broad population of patients with IgA nephropathy. To further enhance patient access to treatment, the company has reached an understanding with Hainan Herui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Hainan Herui”) regarding patents related to Nefecon® (budesonide delayed-release capsules) and entered into a commercialization collaboration for budesonide delayed-release capsules approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in December 2025.

Under this collaboration, Hainan Herui’s budesonide delayed-release capsules will be authorized for marketing in mainland China, with Everest Medicines responsible for its commercialization. Everest Medicines will provide rigorous technical guidance and conduct quality audits of Hainan Herui’s manufacturing and supply chain. This collaboration is expected to expand treatment options for patients between Nefecon® and Hainan Herui’s budesonide delayed-release capsules. The collaboration will become effective upon satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

About Nefecon®

Nefecon® (NEFECON®) is a budesonide delayed-release capsule and the world’s first disease-modifying therapy for IgA nephropathy. As an immunomodulator targeting mucosal B cells in the gut, it reduces kidney function decline by 50%¹ and delays renal function deterioration by up to 66%² in Chinese patients, potentially postponing progression to dialysis or kidney transplantation by 12.8 years³. Additionally, budesonide exhibits a first-pass metabolism rate of 90%⁴, demonstrating a favorable safety profile. Specifically developed for patients with IgA nephropathy, each Nefecon® capsule contains 4 mg of budesonide and utilizes a proprietary dual delayed- and sustained-release formulation technology. This enables targeted delivery of triple-coated budesonide microspheres to mucosal B cells in the distal ileum (including Peyer’s patches). The triple-coated microspheres steadily release budesonide at high concentrations across the entire target region, thereby reducing production of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1)—the key trigger of IgA nephropathy—and intervening at the upstream stage of the disease mechanism to achieve therapeutic efficacy.

In June 2019, Everest Medicines entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Calliditas Therapeutics, granting Everest rights to develop and commercialize Nefecon® in Greater China and Singapore. The agreement was expanded in March 2022 to include South Korea within Everest Medicines’ licensed territory.

About Everest Medicines

Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in global markets. The company’s management team possesses deep expertise and extensive experience from leading pharmaceutical companies in China and globally. Everest Medicines operates a commercial-scale global manufacturing facility in Jiashan, Zhejiang Province, and has established a comprehensive GMP quality management system aligned with standards from China, the United States, and the European Union.

The company focuses on therapeutic areas including autoimmune diseases, ophthalmology, acute and critical care, and CKM (cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disorders). It has built an integrated commercial platform combining a full-channel commercialization system with end-to-end lifecycle commercial capabilities. Leveraging its proprietary mRNA platform with global rights, Everest continues advancing its existing pipeline—including in vivo mRNA CAR-T and mRNA cancer vaccines—while expanding R&D capabilities through strategic in-licensing and ecosystem-based incubation of promising platforms. The company is also strengthening its global footprint and accelerating international development. For more information, please visit the company’s official website:www.everestmedicines.com。

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which are based on the company's or management's current views, beliefs, and expectations regarding the company's business operations and financial condition at the time such statements are made. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as 'will,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'are confident,' and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements due to various factors and assumptions, including changes and developments in our business, competitive environment, political, economic, legal, and social conditions. Neither the company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers, advisors, or agents undertakes any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect new information, future events, or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

References

1. Lafayette R, et al. Lancet. 2023 Sep 9;402(10405):859-870.

2. Zhang H, et al. Kidney360. 2024 Dec 1;5(12):1881-1892.

3.Jonathan Barratt,et al. 2023 ASN. Poster no. SA-PO886.

4. Edsbäcker S, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Feb;13(2):219-24.

29K Views