Zai Lab Ltd (HK: 09688) jumped nearly 7% in early trading on Friday, before settling up 4.61% at HK$20.18, with turnover reaching HK$131 million. The surge comes after immunology company argenx announced on August 17 that its core FcRn antagonist (efgartigimod alfa) achieved positive top-line results in the Phase 3 ALKIVIA clinical trial for the treatment of adult autoimmune myositis.

Notably, argenx has previously granted Zai Lab the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize efgartigimod in Greater China. The ALKIVIA study, initiated by argenx as a global Phase 3 trial, also involved Zai Lab's participation in clinical development and patient enrollment across the Greater China region. If the indication receives global regulatory approval, Zai Lab stands to significantly expand its commercialization footprint for efgartigimod in China's autoimmune disease market.