Lee's Pharmaceutical (HKEX: 00950) has announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with Ashlins Ocular Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company. The agreement, dated July 6, 2026, grants Ashlins the rights to develop and commercialize products containing Interferon Alpha-2b for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of certain human diseases in all territories outside Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Ashlins, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashlins Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc., focuses on acquiring, developing, and commercializing clinically validated therapies for areas with significant unmet medical needs. Under the terms of the deal, Lee's Pharmaceutical will both license and supply the Interferon Alpha-2b active pharmaceutical ingredient to Ashlins.
Lee's Pharmaceutical will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for additional development milestone payments upon achieving specific goals. Following commercialization, the company will also be entitled to annual commercial milestone payments.
Interferon Alpha-2b is a recombinant human Type I interferon active pharmaceutical ingredient produced via recombinant DNA technology. It serves as the active substance in medicines possessing antiviral and immunomodulatory activities.
The announcement highlighted that Ashlins' leadership team possesses extensive experience in U.S. regulatory strategy, clinical development, FDA approval pathways, and commercialization efforts.