AriBio said it has selected China’s Fosun Pharma as the commercialization partner for its oral Alzheimer’s disease treatment AR1001 in Greater China, solidifying the drug’s market entry strategy in the region.
The deal was executed through NeuCo United, which holds exclusive rights to AR1001 in Greater China. It grants Fosun Pharma exclusive manufacturing and sales rights across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
NeuCo United secured exclusive rights to AR1001 in China from AriBio early last year for approximately 1.02 trillion won ($733.2 million) and has since led clinical trials and regulatory affairs in the country.
The agreement with Fosun Pharma, valued at over $1 billion including upfront and milestone payments, also includes a separate double-digit royalty provision. However, AriBio did not disclose the detailed amount of the upfront or milestone payment, citing contractual reasons.
With this three‑way partnership among AriBio, NeuCo United, and Fosun Pharma, AriBio said it has secured a full commercialization framework for AR1001 in Greater China.
Shanghai‑based Fosun Pharma, which reported annual revenue of 8.3 trillion won in 2024, owns a 49 percent stake in Sinopharm and operates an extensive pharmaceutical distribution network in China. Under the partnership, Fosun will oversee regulatory filings, production, marketing, and distribution of AR1001 in the region.
AR1001 is currently undergoing a global phase 3 clinical trial across 13 countries, involving 1,500 patients. NeuCo United is spearheading the clinical and regulatory process in China, where it has already completed enrollment of 126 patients at 25 trial sites.
AriBio said it plans to expand its licensing discussions with Fosun Pharma to include Southeast Asian territories and will also sign a separate drug‑supply agreement for AR1001 in China.
“Alzheimer’s is a disease with high unmet needs globally, and we will accelerate AR1001’s commercialization to provide a new treatment option for patients in China,” Fosun Pharma Chairman and CEO Chen Qiyu said.
AriBio CEO Jung Jae‑jun also said, “With exclusive sales rights now clearly defined by country, we expect this to positively impact our planned merger with Solux and the completion of phase 3 trials,” he said.
AriBio is currently pursuing a merger with Solux, scheduled to be finalized on Oct. 14, 2025.
