Singapore: US-based TNI BioTech, a biotechnology company focused on autoimmune diseases in emerging nations, has partnered with China's Hubei Qianjiang Pharmaceutical, on behalf of Cytocom, TNI BioTech's wholly owed subsidiary, to accelerate clinical trial development in US and China for drug candidate IRT-101 (MENK).

Moving ahead with clinical development, both the companies have agreeed to initiate 3-mo GLP toxicology studies in China in accordance with international standards and acceptable to FDA.

Qianjiang Pharmaceutical has raised the funds necessary for clinical development and marketing of MENK and Cytocom and Qianjiang Pharmaceutical plan to interact with SFDA.

The partnership will leverage expertise and distinct assets and capabilities of each company in its respective field in drug development, manufacturing and distribution.

Mr Noreen Griffin, CEO, TNIB states, "This expansion of our agreement with Hubei allows Cytocom to immediately move forward with our development plan for MENK. We expect our joint efforts will result in significant product and revenue opportunities for both Cytocom and Hubei."

Mr Ye Jige, chairman and president, Hubei, commented, "This collaboration with TNIB and Cytocom continues Hubei Qianjiang Pharmaceutical's strategy to develop new products and to speed up the product commercialization process for our partners. This is the first step of the collaboration."