February 28
The signing ceremony for the technology transfer project of "Kinsenoside Application" between Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) and Hainan Jinnuosai Medical Technology Co., Ltd. was held.
Under the agreement, the research outcomes will be transferred at a fixed price of 240 million RMB.
The project is expected to fill multiple gaps in domestic and international liver-protecting pharmaceuticals in the future.
Signing Ceremony for the "Kinsenoside Application" Technology Transfer Project between HUST and Hainan Jinnuosai Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
Pictures of Anoectochilus roxburghii leaves and sample tablets of kinsenoside preparations
Anoectochilus roxburghii is a rare and precious medicinal herb hailed as "King of Herbs", "Golden Herb", "Divine Medicine" and "Bird Ginseng". It boasts pharmacological activities including liver protection, lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic effects, immunity enhancement and anti-oxidation. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation, National Major New Drug Creation Special Program and National High-Tech R&D Program (863 Program), the Class 1 new drug research team focusing on kinsenoside at HUST has carried out systematic and in-depth research since 2000. The team was the first to clarify that kinsenoside serves as the primary active ingredient of Anoectochilus roxburghii. It holds full intellectual property rights over kinsenoside, covering 10 patents including one authorized US patent.
Professor Zhang Yonghui, Dean of the School of Pharmacy and leader of the research team, guides students during experiments
Kinsenoside delivers remarkable hepatoprotective effects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver injury, cholestatic liver injury, radiation-induced liver injury and liver fibrosis. It also exerts moderate hypoglycemic and lipid-regulating effects with virtually no toxic side effects.
Up to now, the research team has completed identification of Anoectochilus roxburghii botanical origin, tissue culture and formulation of quality standards. A mature extraction and purification process for kinsenoside has been established. Preclinical research for Class 1 new drugs covering pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism, pharmaceutical stability and pharmaceutics has been finished, and the team plans to submit an application for national Class 1 new drug approval in March.
Professor Zhang Yonghui, Dean of the School of Pharmacy and head of the kinsenoside Class 1 new drug research team, stated that the research achievement features independent intellectual property rights and prominent competitive edges. This technology transfer will strongly advance subsequent clinical trials of the new drug. The developed medicine will fill multiple gaps in global liver-protecting therapeutics and contribute to the development of domestically innovative drugs with proprietary intellectual property rights.
He Long, General Manager of Jinnuosai, said that the company is committed to bridging the "last mile" of scientific and technological innovation, facilitating the transformation of university research achievements and smoothing the integration of scientific outcomes with the market economy. Following the principles of resource sharing, synchronized innovation and complementary strengths, the company will further deepen cooperation with HUST to jointly realize the industrialization of research projects.
Academician You Zheng, President of HUST, remarked that as one of the first pilot universities for specialized national technology transfer institutions designated by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science and Technology, HUST has built a targeted service system and full-chain service mechanism for technology transfer. Taking this project signing as an opportunity, the university will strengthen overall planning and exchanges, support industrial innovation, foster a virtuous cycle of industry-university-research integration in biomedicine, boost the international influence of China’s new drug research and development, and contribute HUST’s strength to safeguarding people’s life and health.
The ceremony was hosted by Professor Liao Xiaofei, Dean of the Office of Research and Development. Relevant officials from HUST’s Office of Research and Development, School of Pharmacy and Jinnuosai attended the event.
