#China #Suzhou #Ribo Life Science #Ribocure Pharmaceuticals #Madrigal Pharmaceuticals

Exclusive Global Licensing Agreement

On February 12, 2026, Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary, Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB, announced a significant milestone in the field of liver disease therapeutics. The two companies have entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This collaboration will focus on developing novel therapies based on small interfering RNA (siRNA) aimed at tackling metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

About the Collaboration

The licensing agreement is significant as it encompasses six preclinical programs of siRNA targeting the liver, leveraging the proven GalSTARTM platform from Ribo. The partnership not only covers existing preclinical assets but also opens avenues for joint development of new siRNA programs. These could potentially include bi-specific siRNAs, which target two genes simultaneously, taken from Ribo's specialized chemical modification platform.

Dr. Zicai Liang, CEO of Ribo, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "We are excited to unite our expertise with Madrigal's rich experience to advance life-changing therapies for liver disease patients." This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Li-Ming Gan, CEO of Ribocure, who remarked on the collaborative potential to enhance the therapeutic landscape for MASH through complementary and multi-mechanistic approaches.

Financial Overview

This exclusive partnership entails some encouraging financial projections. Under the terms of the deal, Ribo will receive an initial payment of $60 million, along with additional milestone payments potentially reaching $4.4 billion based on the successful progress of development, regulatory approvals, and commercialization, in addition to future sales royalties.

The Urgency of Addressing MASH

MASH, previously referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a serious liver condition that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, or the need for liver transplants, posing substantial health risks. It has emerged as the leading cause of liver transplants among women and the second-leading cause in the U.S., as well as being the fastest-growing indication for transplantation in Europe.

Patients diagnosed with MASH face a remarkably higher risk of severe liver outcomes once they reach moderate to advanced fibrosis stages (F2-F3), with mortality risks being 10 to 17-fold higher compared to those without fibrosis. The need to treat MASH is paramount, especially as patients move toward stages that could lead to cirrhosis, which drastically heightens the risk of liver-related mortality, noted in studies.

Increased Prevalence and Awareness

The growing recognition of MASH, combined with rising incidence rates, suggests that more patients will soon receive diagnoses of moderate to advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhotic MASH (F2-F4c). There is an urgent need to develop effective therapies that can address this escalating health concern.

About Ribo Life Science and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals

Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on nucleic acid-based medicines. With innovative R&D capabilities and integrated technology platforms, Ribo has built a solid product portfolio, targeting high unmet medical needs across serious diseases. Ribocure Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Ribo, is dedicated to global development of breakthrough oligonucleotide therapies, emphasizing innovative clinical trial methodologies and real-world medical needs.

For additional information, please visit: Ribo Life Science and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals.

About Madrigal Pharmaceuticals

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDGL) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing new treatments for MASH, a liver condition with significant unmet medical needs. Their product, Rezdiffra (resmetirom), is the first and only FDA and European Commission approved drug for treating MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2-F3). Currently, a phase 3 trial is underway to evaluate Rezdiffra in patients with compensated cirrhotic MASH (F4c). For more details, visit Madrigal Pharmaceuticals.