US-based cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company Cytokinetics Inc (Nasdaq:CYTK) announced on Friday that French healthcare company Sanofi S.A. (Euronext Paris:SAN) (Nasdaq:SNY) has acquired the exclusive rights to develop and commercialise aficamten in Greater China from Corxel Pharmaceuticals.

In 2020, CORXEL (formerly Ji Xing) acquired the rights to develop and commercialise aficamten in Greater China (including the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR, and Taiwan) from Cytokinetics.

Aficamten is a novel cardiac myosin inhibitor under development for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the China National Medical Products Administration.

Sanofi will now lead the development and commercialisation of aficamten in Greater China.

Cytokinetics is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties from Sanofi based on the future sales of aficamten in the region. Cytokinetics is also eligible to receive undisclosed payments in connection with the execution of the agreement between Sanofi and CORXEL.