The Taiwan Bio Industry Organization (Taiwan BIO) announced the recipients of the 2023 Taiwan Bio Awards. AnnJi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 7754), a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to new drug development, received the Emerging Company of the Year, a great honor that underscores its outstanding performance and high potential in the biopharma startup sector.
AnnJi specializes in translational research, preclinical studies, and early clinical validation of innovative small molecules (NCEs). The company focuses on therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs, including neurodegenerative disorders, dermatological conditions and rare diseases. Its lead pipeline includes AJ201, an Nrf2 activator; AJ302, and AJ303, both HDAC6 inhibitors. Starting with the End in Mind, AnnJi concentrates its R&D investments on programs with strong commercial potential and stands out in this year’s competition.
Well-recognized R&D Achievement
AnnJi’s pipeline and scientific innovation continue to gain recognition from both government agencies and international pharmaceutical partners. Its novel Nrf2 activator, AJ201, developed for Kennedy’s disease (also known as Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy, SBMA), received the 19th National Innovation Award. Meanwhile, AJ303, AnnJi’s another novel candidate for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)—commonly known as “honeycomb lung”—was successfully selected from among 169 applicants for Boehringer Ingelheim’s prestigious Grass Roots Program. AnnJi is the only new drug development company to receive this recognition, demonstrating its innovation and leadership in the biopharmaceutical field.
Global Vision Backed by Scientific and Strategic Strength
Led by a team with deep academic and industry experience, AnnJi is among the few biotech firms in Taiwan with in-house capabilities spanning from translational research, CMC, preclinical studies and clinical development. The company focuses on neglected diseases and pursues early-stage licensing opportunities with global partners. Notably, during the pandemic, AnnJi achieved a major milestone by out-licensing AJ201 to U.S.-listed company, Avenue Therapeutics Inc. in a deal worth up to USD 250 million, one of the largest five new drug licensing agreements in Taiwan’s biotech history. This achievement is a testament to AnnJi’s purposeful therapeutic selection strategy, robust scientific capabilities, and commercial insight. Winning the 2023 Taiwan Bio Awards –Emerging Company of the Year highlights the company’s exceptional growth potential and reaffirms its role as a driving force for innovation in Taiwan’s biotechnology landscape.
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About Kennedy’s Disease(SBMA)
Kennedy’s disease, also known as Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), is a rare and serious inherited neuromuscular degenerative disorder. It is characterized by the progressive degeneration of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem, and skeletal muscles. The disease primarily affects males between the ages of 30 and 40, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 40,000. As the disease progresses—typically by age 50—patients often develop difficulties with chewing and swallowing, and ultimately, recurrent aspiration pneumonia becomes a common cause of death. Currently, there are no approved treatments for SBMA.
About Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
CIPN is one of the most common neurological complications experienced by cancer patients during and after chemotherapy. Symptoms typically include tingling, numbness, and burning sensations, which can severely impact a patient’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities such as walking, dressing, or writing. CIPN can also compromise the effectiveness of cancer treatment. For example, among breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel (a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent), up to 80% report CIPN symptoms, and 50% of those patients require dose adjustments or modifications to their treatment plan. Currently, there are no approved therapies specifically for CIPN. As a result, patients often resort to reducing chemotherapy doses or relying on antidepressants for symptomatic relief, despite their limited efficacy in managing neuropathic pain.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding AnnJi’s plans, programs, and expected results. These statements are based on current assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from time to time. AnnJi undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.。
