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MindRank partners with 3SBio subsidiaries to commercialize AI-designed oral GLP-1 in China

MindRank partners with 3SBio subsidiaries to commercialize AI-designed oral GLP-1 in China

Hangzhou-based MindRank AI Ltd. struck a commercialization agreement with Zhejiang Sunshine Mandi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Mandi) and Zhejiang Wansheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Wansheng), both subsidiaries of 3SBio Inc. (HKEX: 1530), covering MDR-001, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist in Phase III development in China for obesity and overweight.

The agreement is worth up to RMB 1.75 billion (USD 260 million), including RMB 150 million (approximately USD 22.4 million) upfront and up to RMB 1.6 billion (approximately USD 238.8 million) in development, regulatory, and commercialization milestones.

Mandi and Wansheng will provide exclusive commercialization services for MDR-001 across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau following approval and launch. MindRank will retain Marketing Authorization Holder status and all intellectual property rights, while remaining responsible for development, registration, manufacturing, and supply.

MDR-001 is being evaluated in the Phase III MOBILE trial, which enrolled its first patient in February 2026. In Phase IIb testing, the drug produced mean body weight reductions of 8.2% to 10.3% at 24 weeks, with 34.5% to 48.1% of participants achieving at least 10% weight loss.

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MindRank said MDR-001 was discovered using its Molecule Arts Platform, an AI-based drug design platform, and advanced from program initiation to Phase III in 4.5 years at a cumulative R&D spend of approximately USD 23 million.

3SBio acquired Wansheng in 2015, adding a small-molecule R&D and manufacturing platform to its predominantly biologics-focused business. Jing Lou, chairman and chief executive officer of 3SBio, said weight management is one of Mandi's three strategic focus areas alongside hair and sleep management.


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