WinHealth Pharma announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Jacobson Pharma Group, securing exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ARSENOL® (arsenic trioxide oral solution) in the Chinese mainland. ARSENOL® is an oral arsenic trioxide formulation originating from research at the LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) and co-developed with Jacobson. It holds the distinction of being the first prescription medicine fully developed in Hong Kong and the world's first oral arsenic trioxide treatment. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the broader development and commercialization of a Hong Kong-developed innovation in the Chinese mainland. The collaboration is also expected to strengthen clinical research cooperation and regulatory alignment between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, creating a more streamlined pathway for innovation from development to clinical use.
Jack Wang, Chairman of WinHealth Pharma (left), and Derek Sum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacobson Pharma Group (right), at the signing ceremony
ARSENOL® is an oral arsenic trioxide medicine for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). APL is a rare hematologic malignancy, accounting for approximately 5% to 20% of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, with an annual incidence of approximately 1 to 7.4 cases per million people[1]. Based on incidence rates reported in a Hong Kong population-based study, the number of newly diagnosed APL cases nationwide is projected to be approximately 4,500 annually[2]. As the first new drug developed in Hong Kong to reach clinical application, ARSENOL® has demonstrated compelling efficacy and safety in APL, with overall survival exceeding 97% across extensive clinical studies[3]. In frontline treatment studies, ARSENOL® achieved 100% leukemia-free survival and overall survival at five years in newly diagnosed patients[3]. Backed by more than two decades of sustained research and clinical translation at HKUMed, ARSENOL® as an oral formulation offers greater dosing convenience, reduces treatment burden and enables more flexible clinical management. ARSENOL® has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA)[3].
Derek Sum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacobson Pharma Group, said, “We are delighted to partner with WinHealth Pharma. ARSENOL® is the first prescription medicine independently researched, developed and manufactured in Hong Kong. It also reflects the ambition for locally developed pharmaceutical innovation to reach broader markets. The Chinese mainland, with its significant unmet clinical needs and substantial growth potential, is a pivotal market for expanding ARSENOL®'s reach and maximizing its value for patients. We look forward to leveraging WinHealth Pharma’s capabilities and commercial platform to accelerate the development and commercialization of ARSENOL® in the Chinese mainland and bring this new treatment option to patients as soon as possible. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to advancing high-value innovative therapies for patients and establishes a firm partnership foundation built on trust, professionalism and a shared vision. We believe this collaboration will create long-term, sustainable value and pave the way for further milestone achievements.”
Jack Wang, Chairman of WinHealth Pharma, said, “This collaboration marks an important milestone for both WinHealth Pharma and Jacobson. ARSENOL® is the first new drug developed in Hong Kong. Through this collaboration, WinHealth Pharma will accelerate the development and commercialization of ARSENOL® in the Chinese mainland. Given the significant unmet clinical needs and market potential, we believe the Chinese mainland will be an important market for the product’s future growth. We see this collaboration as an opportunity to proactively align with regulatory requirements across both markets and advance the registration and launch of ARSENOL® in the Chinese mainland, bringing a new treatment option to patients with APL. It will also foster closer collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in clinical research, regulatory engagement and the translation of innovation into clinical application. As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and with continued momentum for high-quality development in the biopharmaceutical industry and deeper innovation collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, WinHealth Pharma will continue to leverage its capabilities to help bring more high-value therapies to patients.”
About acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
APL is a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The vast majority of patients harbor the characteristic t(15;17)(q24;q21) chromosomal translocation, which generates the PML-RARA fusion gene and disrupts normal cellular differentiation, representing the key molecular driver of the disease[4]. APL is more commonly seen in younger and middle-aged adults, with a median age at diagnosis of 44 years[5]. Clinically, APL is an aggressive disease, and patients are at risk of life-threatening bleeding and thrombotic complications at presentation and during induction treatment.
About ARSENOL® (arsenic trioxide oral solution)
ARSENOL® is an oral arsenic trioxide medicine for the treatment of APL, developed by the HKUMed through more than two decades of research and clinical translation. ARSENOL® is the first prescription medicine developed in Hong Kong and has patent protection in the United States, Europe and Japan. Following more than two decades of research and clinical translation, ARSENOL® has been incorporated into standard APL treatment practice in Hong Kong and has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance. Available clinical data show that ARSENOL® has demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in the treatment of APL and may offer greater treatment convenience while helping to reduce treatment burden.
About Jacobson Pharma Group
Jacobson Pharma Group is a leading Hong Kong–based pharmaceutical company with a fully integrated operation spanning R&D, manufacturing, sales, and distribution of essential medicines and specialty drugs. As a major generic drug provider, it has extensive coverage across both public and private healthcare sectors, supported by a broad portfolio across key therapeutic areas. The Group leverages advanced R&D capabilities to develop high-quality generics and specialty drugs, supported by strategic collaborations and strong market insight. It maintains a well-established sales and distribution network that drives deep market penetration and supports regional expansion in Asia. Backed by a centralized, SAP-powered logistics hub and robust infrastructure, Jacobson ensures efficient, flexible, and reliable supply chain operations, with specialized expertise in vaccine and advanced therapy logistics.
About WinHealth Pharma
WinHealth Pharma is a China-based integrated pharmaceutical company with a core focus on kidney diseases and strategic expansion into hematology and other major therapeutic areas. It possesses comprehensive capabilities across the entire pharmaceutical value chain from research and development to manufacturing and commercialization. Guided by its “Patients-First” philosophy and the mission of “Advancing Health, Empowering Lives,” the company is dedicated to improving patients' quality of life through innovative therapies. By leveraging a multi-strategy-driven business model, WinHealth Pharma connects with global innovations to continuously build a diverse, differentiated, and highly competitive product portfolio. Anchoring a strong presence in China, the company is actively expanding into other Asian markets and key international regions, including Switzerland and Japan. WinHealth Pharma is committed to fostering an open and collaborative healthcare ecosystem, driving industry innovation to meet the evolving needs of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.winhealth.hk.
References:
1.Bidikian A, Bewersdorf JP, Kewan T, et al. Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in the Real World: Understanding Outcome Differences and How We Can Improve Them. Cancers (Basel) 2024;16(23) doi: 10.3390/cancers16234092 [published Online First: 20241206]
2. Gill H, Raghupathy R, Lee CYY, et al. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia: population-based study of epidemiology and outcome with ATRA and oral-ATO from 1991 to 2021. BMC Cancer 2023;23(1):141. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-10612-z [published Online First: 20230210]
3. Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. FDA and EMA designations for HKUMed game-changing invention: Oral arsenic trioxide for leukaemia with a 97% cure rate First prescription medicine in Hong Kong to be globalised. 2025 Feb 10. Available from: https://www.med.hku.hk/en/news/press/20250210-fda-and-ema-designations-for-hkumed-game-changing-invention
4. Sanz MA, Fenaux P, Tallman MS, et al. Management of acute promyelocytic leukemia: updated recommendations from an expert panel of the European LeukemiaNet. Blood 2019;133(15):1630-43. doi: 10.1182/blood-2019-01-894980 [published Online First: 20190225]
5. Gill H, Raghupathy R, Hou HA, et al. Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Asian Consortium study of arsenic trioxide in newly diagnosed patients: impact and outcome. Blood Adv 2025;9(4):862-76. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014999