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Shengshi Taikang: Trading "A Promise Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold" for "Dreams Come True"

Introduction: Staying true to our original aspirations and forging ahead with determination, we’re turning dreams into reality. The rapid growth of Suzhou Industrial Park is the result of generations of dedicated park residents who have continuously strived forward, as well as the unwavering commitment of countless enterprises that have taken root and thrived here. These companies are not just witnesses to this remarkable journey—they are active participants, too. In the park, batch after batch of businesses have leveraged their exceptional expertise to chart an upward trajectory, using their vibrant energy and resilient strength to pen a compelling chapter titled "Thirty Years of Progress, Building Dreams for the Future." As it marks its 15th anniversary in Suzhou Industrial Park, Shengshi Taikang Biopharmaceutical Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has reached a significant milestone: the company’s first-in-class innovative drug, Sengletin Phosphate Tablets—a breakthrough 1.1-class therapy—has been officially approved for launch in China. Reflecting on this achievement, Yu Qiang, Founder and CEO of Shengshi Taikang, penned a heartfelt poem: "Amidst forests where celestial sounds reside, Colors converge as they ascend to grand halls. Morning light bathes the misty shores, A prosperous era welcomes the rising sun." The初心 (original aspiration) of entrepreneurship and the bold spirit of innovation have converged here, creating a heartwarming tale of mutual pursuit between the park and its talented individuals. "The successful approval and launch of Sengletin Phosphate Tablets are a testament to Suzhou and the park’s fertile entrepreneurial environment, as well as the robust support from numerous departments," said Yu Qiang. "This milestone also reflects our commitment to repaying the park’s exceptional pro-business services with the ‘unwavering promise’ of our innovative medicine." Since settling in the park in 2010, Shengshi Taikang has remained firmly rooted in Suzhou while aiming globally. The company has focused on the research and development of innovative small-molecule drugs, leveraging an integrated drug R&D platform and a diversified business vision to build a robust pipeline spanning areas such as diabetes management, cancer treatment, and autoimmune diseases. **Capital—** The "First Gold" That Powers Innovation In 2010, armed with extensive scientific research and practical experience in pharmaceutical R&D, Yu Qiang and his partner Ding Juping founded Shengshi Taikang at Suzhou BioBay, a leading biomedical incubator. Their mission was clear: to pioneer groundbreaking therapies through the development and commercialization of innovative small-molecule drugs. "China is home to the world’s largest diabetic population, making it a global hotspot for diabetes care," Yu Qiang recalled. "Back in 2008, I heard about the growing emphasis on the biopharmaceutical industry in China. By 2010, I decided to bring my early-stage R&D achievements back home, raising funds independently and assembling a team to develop a novel Class 1 antidiabetic drug." Looking back over the past decade-plus, Yu Qiang still vividly remembers the pivotal moment when he chose to return to China and establish his venture in the park. "What ultimately convinced me to come back was the series of thoughtful emails exchanged with the park authorities," he shared. "Even though I was still based in the U.S., I reached out to inquire about starting a business in China. The responses I received were not only impeccably written in fluent English but also demonstrated a high level of professional expertise. Looking back now, those initial interactions proved to be the right call." Of course, embarking on a new venture isn’t easy—especially for a nascent drug development company. Despite relatively favorable conditions for returning entrepreneurs, securing adequate funding remains one of the biggest challenges. "Fortunately, the park provided substantial financial support tailored specifically for leading talents," Yu Qiang explained. "When we first settled in 2010, the park offered a generous 'package' worth up to 10 million yuan to top-tier talent in the biopharmaceutical sector. This included benefits like housing subsidies, rent reductions, interest-rate subsidies, and even seed funding. More importantly, Yuanhe Holdings’ predecessor, Sino-Singapore Venture Capital, stepped in with an angel investment of 6.5 million yuan—literally a lifeline for our fledgling company." Over time, Shengshi Taikang’s innovative drugs earned inclusion in China’s national “12th Five-Year Plan” and “13th Five-Year Plan” initiatives for major new drug development, placing them squarely within the government’s priority support framework. As a result, the company secured additional funding opportunities. Meanwhile, both the park’s Enterprise Development Service Center and Leading Venture Capital played crucial roles at different stages of Shengshi Taikang’s growth, providing vital financing support. Under the guidance of government-backed industrial funds, these investors also attracted more private capital, further fueling the company’s innovation efforts. "I’ve always believed," Yu Qiang quipped with a smile, "it was the park that laid the ‘1,’ and it’s the subsequent influx of private capital that added the ‘0s.’” With robust financial backing, Shengshi Taikang has steadily expanded its capabilities, building a diverse pipeline of drug candidates—from preclinical studies all the way to commercialization—and maintaining a strong, cohesive team across the entire value chain. Several of the company’s projects have already secured U.S. clinical trial approvals, marking a significant step toward bringing these innovative medicines to international markets. **Talent—** The "Powerful Engine" Driving Accelerated Innovation Talent is the cornerstone of any thriving enterprise, serving as the foundation for survival, growth, and expansion. Over the past decade-plus, Shengshi Taikang has not only achieved a "grand slam" of accolades, ranging from national to local-level science and technology projects, but has also cultivated a "grand slam" of talent, fostering a harmonious synergy between human resources and cutting-edge innovations. At the end of 2021, the park took the lead nationwide by launching a pilot program for evaluating professional titles in the biopharmaceutical engineering field, granting this emerging discipline a formal place within China’s national professional title system for the first time. Among the inaugural cohort of professionals successfully certified, Shengshi Taikang proudly counted 16 employees, 12 of whom were awarded senior-level biopharmaceutical engineering titles. As the chairperson of Suzhou’s Senior Professional Technical Qualification Review Committee for Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Yu Qiang personally oversaw the rigorous review process. He believes that if companies can thoughtfully identify and promote talented individuals holding advanced professional titles, these experts can serve as bridges connecting firms with universities or research institutions. Such partnerships could pave the way for co-developing tailored training programs designed to nurture industry-ready talent, ultimately helping the park and its enterprises create an irresistible "magnetic field" that attracts and retains top talent. Beyond nurturing a thriving ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, the park has consistently prioritized enhancing the quality of life for its residents. Today, Shengshi Taikang has established a comprehensive talent-development strategy that spans the entire R&D-to-commercialization continuum, ensuring both stability and sustained growth within its workforce."Integrity, Innovation, Pragmatism, and Beneficence"—these are Shengshi Taikang’s "Eight-Character Mantra." Only by maintaining exceptional quality, fostering continuous innovation, embracing a genuine pursuit of truth, and staying true to our original mission of serving society can we navigate challenges and ultimately achieve our goals. Innovation has always been the guiding principle behind Shengshi Taikang’s growth. As Yu Qiang emphasizes, for a startup to achieve sustained, upward momentum, its core lies in nurturing talent, while the driving force stems from relentless innovation. That’s why Shengshi Taikang strives to ensure that its pipeline products offer distinct advantages over existing clinical treatments—and when targeting the same therapeutic areas, these innovations must simultaneously deliver both superior efficacy and unique differentiation. "In 2012, our team had already developed an early version of senvogliptin, but its technical performance was merely on par with comparable imported products on the market. We came to this project driven by a deep commitment to innovation. Without breakthroughs that surpass industry standards, our efforts wouldn’t truly count, and we’d certainly fail to live up to the support and guidance provided by governments at all levels. So, we made the bold decision to completely overhaul our original R&D plan. It wasn’t until late 2016 that our perseverance finally paid off: the next-generation senvogliptin, boasting significantly improved performance, was finally ready for submission to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for clinical trial approval." Senvogliptin not only effectively manages high blood sugar levels but also minimizes the risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. With rapid oral absorption, a long half-life, and prolonged efficacy, it’s often referred to as a "smart" diabetes medication—a true embodiment of the phrase "more bang for your buck." **Industry Update— Tackling the "Last Mile" of the Innovation Ecosystem Staying True to the Path of Innovation: A Decade of Perseverance** In August 2022, Shengshi Taikang’s first domestically produced teriflunomide tablet hit the market, offering a new and reliable treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in China. This milestone marked the company’s official entry into the commercialization phase. Fast forward to late 2024, and after nearly eight years of relentless development, senvogliptin has finally received regulatory approval for launch. As a next-generation, highly selective DPP-4 inhibitor independently developed by Shengshi Taikang, senvogliptin not only earned its place in both the "12th Five-Year Plan" and the "13th Five-Year Plan" national initiatives focused on "Major New Drug Development," but also secured an unprecedented exemption from Phase 2 clinical trials. Thanks to its outstanding results in a head-to-head Phase 1 study against the market-leading competitor, senvogliptin advanced directly into Phase 3 clinical trials, setting a groundbreaking precedent in the drug development field. Developing pharmaceuticals—especially innovative medicines—is inherently a lengthy and capital-intensive journey. From the lab to commercialization, teriflunomide and senvogliptin have successfully navigated the "last mile," completing Shengshi Taikang’s comprehensive "innovation chain" and validating the effectiveness of the company’s meticulously crafted innovation platform. This achievement underscores the company’s ability to sustainably develop cutting-edge therapies in the future. Currently, Shengshi Taikang is actively preparing for the commercial rollout of senvogliptin, working tirelessly to expand market access and bring this high-quality treatment to an even broader patient population. Meanwhile, the company continues to advance multiple projects in the fields of diabetes and oncology, committed to delivering more exceptional treatment options that meet patients’ evolving needs—and ultimately positioning itself as a new industry benchmark. "Over the past decade-plus of entrepreneurship within the park, I’ve witnessed the most transformative shift in the local biopharmaceutical sector: from its infancy to becoming a leader in domestic innovation. Today, the industry has grown exponentially—from just over 100 companies initially to more than 1,000 today—and has cultivated a thriving ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs, top-tier talent, research institutions, and venture capital firms. This collaborative environment fosters upstream-downstream synergy and drives joint innovation, creating unparalleled cluster advantages." Looking back on those formative years, Yu Qiang reflects that "passion is a powerful force"—the very sentiment that initially inspired him to embark on this entrepreneurial journey. At its core, his vision remains steadfast: to ensure that domestic patients have access to high-quality, affordable, and innovative domestically produced medicines. As the park embarks on its next 30-year chapter, Shengshi Taikang’s path of innovation and entrepreneurship is poised to reach new heights. Moving forward, the company will remain dedicated to addressing unmet clinical needs through pioneering, source-driven innovation—ultimately benefiting patients worldwide and helping the park’s biopharmaceutical industry grow stronger and more influential on the global stage.

Time:2025-01-07 10:29

Milestone | Shengshi Taikang’s Next-Generation DPP-4 Inhibitor Approved for Market

Today, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced on its official website that Shengshi Taikang’s independently developed Class 1 innovative drug, Sengliti phosphate tablets (formerly known as Shengge liti phosphate tablets), has been approved for marketing in China. This next-generation, highly selective DPP-4 inhibitor is specifically designed to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. According to the *Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes*, the prevalence of diabetes among adults in China has risen to 11.2%, with over 90% of cases being type 2 diabetes. To address this significant clinical need, a number of novel drugs with mechanisms of action distinct from traditional oral antidiabetic medications have emerged in recent years. Among these, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors stand out for their ability to not only effectively manage hyperglycemia but also minimize the risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. With rapid oral absorption, a long half-life, and sustained efficacy, DPP-4 inhibitors are often referred to as "smart" glucose-lowering agents and have already earned widespread recommendations in both domestic and international treatment guidelines. Sengliti phosphate, as Shengshi Taikang’s pioneering next-generation, highly selective DPP-4 inhibitor, was previously selected for two consecutive phases of China’s national "Major New Drug Development" initiatives during the 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans. Notably, due to its outstanding performance in a head-to-head Phase 1 clinical trial compared to the market-leading product, Sengliti was granted an exemption from Phase 2 trials, allowing it to advance directly into Phase 3—paving the way for a "Phase 2-free, Phase 3-ready" approach in clinical testing within this therapeutic area. Results from the Phase 3 clinical trial of Sengliti phosphate, led by Professor Ji Linong, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital and Director of the Peking University Diabetes Center, demonstrated impressive outcomes. In the monotherapy study, patients receiving 50 mg or 100 mg of Sengliti showed reductions in HbA1c levels of 1.08% and 1.07%, respectively, by Week 24. Meanwhile, in the combination therapy group using Sengliti alongside metformin, the 50 mg and 100 mg dose groups achieved HbA1c reductions of 1.23% and 1.17%, respectively, by Week 24. Importantly, the trial data also revealed that patients with higher baseline blood glucose levels experienced even greater reductions in HbA1c. Beyond its remarkable blood sugar-lowering efficacy, what sets Sengliti apart is its exceptional safety profile. In a comparison between the 100 mg high-dose group and the placebo group over the subsequent 28 weeks, the incidence of adverse events remained comparable to that of the placebo, effectively addressing common side effects observed with existing marketed DPP-4 inhibitors. Currently, the combination of metformin and DPP-4 inhibitors has become the cornerstone of clinical practice for managing type 2 diabetes. According to a research report by Sullivan, the DPP-4 inhibitor market in China is projected to surpass 30 billion yuan by 2030, highlighting the drug’s promising and expansive market potential. Ding Juping, Co-founder and President of Shengshi Taikang, expressed his delight: "We are thrilled to see our company’s decade-long, ‘one-in-a-million’ R&D effort culminate in the approval of Sengliti phosphate tablets. This innovative medication delivers twice the therapeutic effect with half the dosage, positioning it as the best-in-class new option for diabetes management. We hope that once launched, it will quickly benefit the vast number of diabetic patients across China." Dr. Yu Qiang, Founder and CEO of Shengshi Taikang, added: "The successful approval of Sengliti phosphate is a testament to the fertile entrepreneurial environment in Suzhou and its industrial park, as well as the unwavering support we’ve received from various government departments. It’s also our way of repaying Suzhou’s business-friendly ecosystem with the ‘unwavering commitment’ embodied in our innovative drug development. On this momentous occasion, I’d like to share an original poem celebrating the triumphant launch of this groundbreaking new medication." **Sengliti Ascends to Glory,** Blossoming amidst vibrant hues, Greeting dawn upon the clouds, Embracing a bright new day.

Time:2024-12-05 12:06

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