Shanghai, China – December 30, 2024 – Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“ArkBio”), a clinical-stage, privately held biopharmaceutical company, today announced a strategic collaboration with Partex, a leader in AI-driven pharmaceutical innovation. This partnership aims to explore the full potential of ArkBio’s proprietary autotaxin inhibitor, AK0707, and identify the ideal partner for out-licensing the asset.

AK0707 is a potent and selective autotaxin inhibitor designed with a favorable therapeutic window. It has shown promise in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a debilitating and progressive lung disease. Autotaxin inhibitors, including AK0707, are also being investigated for their potential in treating other severe conditions such as systemic sclerosis, metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), neuropathic pain, lung fibrosis, and cancer. ArkBio recently completed a phase 1 clinical trial of AK0707 in healthy volunteers, demonstrating favorable pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety profiles.

As part of this collaboration, Partex will leverage its proprietary AI-powered platform to broaden AK0707’s therapeutic potential, uncovering new indications and facilitating connections with prospective industry partners.

“We are excited to collaborate with Partex to expand the global opportunities for AK0707,” said Dr. Haiqing Yuan, Chief Operating Officer of ArkBio. “Their advanced AI expertise will play a pivotal role in identifying untapped therapeutic areas and industry partners for this promising compound. Together, we aim to bring AK0707 to new markets and address unmet medical needs.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with ArkBio to fully realize the potential of AK0707,” said Dr. Frank Grams, Chief Commercial Officer of Partex. “Our AI-driven approach will accelerate the identification of new indications and the out-licensing process, ensuring that AK0707 can benefit patients worldwide. This partnership exemplifies how cutting-edge AI technology can drive innovation in drug development and commercialization.”

This collaboration is expected to significantly streamline the out-licensing process, with both companies committed to ensuring AK0707 achieves its maximum therapeutic potential across a wide range of indications.

About Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (ArkBio) is a China-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for unmet medical needs. With a robust pipeline of novel compounds targeting pediatric and respiratory diseases, ArkBio is committed to delivering groundbreaking treatments that have the potential to transform patient care.

About Partex

Partex is a leading innovator in the field of pharmaceutical AI, specializing in AI-driven drug development and licensing strategies. The company’s proprietary platform uses advanced machine learning techniques to identify new drug candidates, predict therapeutic applications, and accelerate the out-licensing process, helping to bring novel therapies to market faster.

For more information about the company, please visit our website：www.arkbiosciences.com

Investor Inquiries：IR@arkbiosciences.com