STA Pharmaceutical Co., a subsidiary of WuXi AppTec, and Dizal Pharmaceutical, a biotechnology company, have entered a strategic collaboration under which WuXi STA will become the preferred CDMO partner of Dizal Pharmaceutical for GMP production. WuXi STA will provide integrated CMC (Chemical, manufacturing and Control) process research and manufacturing services from API to drug product.
 
Dizal Pharmaceutical is a research-based joint venture between AstraZeneca and Advanced Manufacturing Industry Investment Fund (FIIF) dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class medicines. Since its inception in October 2017, Dizal has worked closely with WuXi STA on CMC for an innovative drug.
 
WuXi STA has provided process optimization, API manufacturing from grams to kilograms, drug product development and manufacturing for clinical trials, and IND filling in both China and the U.S. WuXi STA has leveraged its drug development and manufacturing platform, regulatory CMC support and quality systems to enable Dizal Pharmaceutical to implement Phase I clinical research in China and the U.S.
 
The strategic cooperation will further the cooperation between the two companies. Dizal Pharmaceutical is currently leading several projects in the clinical development stage, covering physical and liquid tumors, chronic kidney disease, respiratory infections and other fields. In the future, WuXi STA will provide integrated CMC services from preclinical to commercial, for both API and formulation for Dizal Pharmaceutical research projects.
 
“We are delighted to sign a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with WuXi STA. The innovative capabilities and scale advantage of WuXi STA, as well as many excellent and experienced scientists will empower us to potentially accelerate our project pipelines. Ultimately, bringing new therapies to China and USA more quickly,” said Dr. Zhang Xiaolin, founder and chief executive officer of Dizal Pharmaceutical.
 
Dr. Minzhang Chen, chief executive officer of WuXi STA, said, “Our mission is to empower customers to develop innovative drugs from clinical to commercial – faster and more efficiently.  We are delighted to become the strategic partner of Dizal Pharmaceutical and look forward to helping them advance their drug candidates towards the clinic, bringing innovative medicines for the benefit of patients around the world.”