COSCIENS Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Wuzhou Drug International for Macrilen® in Hainan-Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Singapore
Rhea-AI Summary
COSCIENS (TSX: CSCI; FINRA: CSCIF) announced that subsidiary Aeterna Zentaris GmbH signed an exclusive 10-year distribution agreement with Wuzhou Drug International for Macrilen (macimorelin) in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, and Guangdong and Hainan provinces.
The deal assigns Wuzhou responsibility for registration, importation and commercialization and leverages the "Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy for expedited access in the Greater Bay Area. The agreement includes a minimum initial order of approximately €800,000.
Positive
- Exclusive 10-year distribution rights for Macrilen in key Asian territories
- Binding minimum initial order of approximately €800,000
- Leverages expedited market access via Greater Bay Area "Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy
Negative
- Commercial launch depends on successful local registration and approvals managed by Wuzhou
- Revenue timing contingent on regulatory and hospital adoption processes in each territory
Insights
Exclusive 10‑year distribution for COSCIENS product in key Asian territories with a sizable initial order; commercially positive.
COSCIENS grants exclusive rights to Wuzhou Drug International to register, import and commercialize Macrilen® (macimorelin) across Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore and Guangdong/Hainan. The deal explicitly commits a minimum initial order of
The commercial mechanism is straightforward: a territorial exclusive plus a binding initial purchase provides near-term revenue visibility and a multi-year runway for market rollout. Key dependencies include successful regulatory approvals in each jurisdiction, timely importation and hospital adoption, and Wuzhou executing on its registration and distribution obligations. Risks remain around the pace of approvals and local reimbursement decisions, which the text identifies as steps Wuzhou will navigate but does not guarantee.
Watch for three concrete, monitorable items: completion of regulatory registrations and market authorizations in the mentioned territories, fulfillment and timing of the
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COSCIENS Biopharma Inc. (TSX: CSCI) (FINRA: CSCIF) (“COSCIENS” or the “Company”), a life sciences company focused on pharmaceutical therapies, diagnostic products, and natural ingredients solutions, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aeterna Zentaris GmbH, has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Wuzhou Drug International Trading Limited (“Wuzhou”) for the commercialization of Macrilen® (macimorelin) in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, and the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Hainan.
Under the terms of the agreement, Wuzhou will be responsible for the registration, importation, and commercialization of Macrilen® (macimorelin), the Company’s oral diagnostic test for Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (“AGHD”), within the designated territories. This partnership leverages the "Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy, allowing for expedited market access in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The agreement is for an initial ten-year term and includes a commitment by Wuzhou for a minimum initial order of approximately
COSCIENS Management Commentary
Dr. Matthias Gerlach, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of Aeterna Zentaris GmbH commented: “We are very pleased to partner with Wuzhou, with their proven track record in the Greater China region and Southeast Asia, deep regulatory expertise and strong commercial presence in the Greater Bay Area and Singapore specifically. This agreement represents a key step in our strategy to unlock the global potential of Macrilen® and to build sustainable, long -term revenue streams.” Dr. Gerlach continued, “Entering these dynamic Asian markets allows us to address a significant unmet need for a convenient, oral diagnostic option for patients suspected of suffering from growth hormone deficiency. We look forward to working closely with the Wuzhou team to bring this innovative diagnostic test to patients and healthcare providers across the region and ultimately helping improve patient outcomes through earlier and more accurate diagnosis.”
Statement from Wuzhou Drug International
Mr. Zheng Guo Shang, General Manager of Wuzhou commented, “Wuzhou is dedicated to introducing high-quality, innovative healthcare solutions to the Greater China and Southeast Asian markets. We identify a strong strategic fit for Macrilen® within our specialty portfolio, particularly given the clear demand for a reliable and patient-friendly diagnostic tool for AGHD. We are eager to leverage our regulatory capabilities and hospital network to navigate the approval pathways in Hong Kong, Macao, and the pilot zones of Guangdong and Hainan, ensuring that patients have access to this gold-standard diagnostic as swiftly as possible.”
About COSCIENS Biopharma Inc. and Macrilen®
COSCIENS is a life science company with a diverse portfolio focused on the development of natural, plant-based active ingredients and engaged in the commercialization of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. COSCIENS’ natural active ingredient business leverages the Company’s proprietary manufacturing and extraction technologies to develop Avenanthramides and Beta Glucan active ingredients currently used in leading skincare brands worldwide.
Macrilen® (macimorelin), COSCIENS’ lead pharmaceutical product, is a ghrelin agonist that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland and is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of AGHD.
About Wuzhou Drug International Trading Limited
Wuzhou Drug International Trading Limited is a pharmaceutical trading and services company headquartered in Macao. The company specializes in the introduction, registration, and distribution of innovative medicines, with a focus on ophthalmology, rare diseases, and specialty diagnostics across the Greater Bay Area (including Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao) and Singapore.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and "forward-looking information" under the provisions of Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities, or developments that could or may or will occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as "anticipate", "assume", "believe", "could", "expect", "forecast", "future", "goal", "guidance", "intend", "likely", "may", "would" or the negative or comparable terminology as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include such words. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expectations regarding the anticipated benefits of the distribution agreement with Wuzhou.
These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, including factors or assumptions factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions based on historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors described in “Risks Relating to Us and Our Business” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of their dates. We disclaim any obligation to update any such risks or uncertainties or to publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or applicable law.
Issuer Contact:
Peter H. Puccetti
Interim CEO and Chairman of the Board
pp@cosciensbio.com
Giuliano La Fratta
Chief Financial Officer
glafratta@cosciensbio.com
Investor Contact:
FAQ
What territories does COSCIENS (CSCI) grant to Wuzhou under the Macrilen distribution deal on Dec 1, 2025?
How long is the Macrilen distribution agreement between COSCIENS (CSCI) and Wuzhou?
What minimum initial order did Wuzhou commit to for Macrilen under the COSCIENS (CSCI) deal?
What responsibilities does Wuzhou have for Macrilen in the CSCI agreement?
What is Macrilen and what condition does it diagnose under the COSCIENS (CSCI) agreement?
How does the Greater Bay Area policy affect COSCIENS' (CSCI) Macrilen market access?
