Sino Biopharmaceutical (HKG:1177) reported that its oral small molecule inhibitor, Rovadicitinib, showed the best overall response of 86.4% in a phase 1b/2a clinical study, with a failure-free survival rate for 12 months at 85.2%, according to a Monday Hong Kong bourse filing.

In the open-label, multicenter phase 1b/2a clinical study conducted in China, with a total of 44 subjects enrolled, the drug reduced the glucocorticoid dose in 88.6% of subjects while the cGVHD-related symptoms were improved in 59.1% of subjects.

The results further showed that the drug was well tolerated, even with no dose-limiting toxicity. No adverse events led to discontinuation, and the most prevalent hematological adverse event recorded was anemia.

Rovadicitinib is a first-in-class, oral small molecule inhibitor with dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. It inhibits both JAK (Janus kinase) and ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase) pathways and can reduce inflammation, fibrosis, and abnormal cell proliferation, showing therapeutic potential in the treatment of cGVHD, myelofibrosis, and hemophagocytic syndrome.

The study was published in Blood (1F: 21.0), a leading international hematology journal, the filing said.

Shares of the company closed over 6% higher on Tuesday.