Financial Highlights For the six months ended 30 JuneChanges2025HK$ million2026HK$ millionTotal revenue2,7942,934+ 5.0%Gross profit840969+ 15.4%Gross profit margin30.1%33.0%+ 2.9ppAdjusted EBITD 1297448+ 50.8%Net profit194318+ 63.9%Basic earnings per shareHK2.73 centsHK4.28 cents+ 56.8%Interim dividend per shareHK0.55 centsHK0.90 cents+ 63.6%1 Adjusted EBITD represents earnings before interest, tax and depreciation charge on the self-owned flagship store, which reflects the Group’s core operating performanceHONG KONG, August 20, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Emperor Watch & Jewellery Limited (“Group” or “Emperor W&J”) (Stock code: 887), a leading retailer of European-made watches and jewellery products, announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (“Period”).During the Period, the Group’s total revenue increased by 5.0% to HK$2,934 million (2025: HK$2,794 million). Revenue from Hong Kong increased by 11.1% to HK$1,771 million (2025: HK$1,594 million), accounting for 60.4% (2025: 57.1%) of total revenue, and revenue from the Chinese Mainland increased by 20.7% to HK$873 million (2025: HK$723 million), accounting for 29.8% (2025: 25.9%) of total revenue. Revenue from the watch segment increased by 9.8% to HK$1,866 million (2025: HK$1,700 million), accounting for 63.6% (2025: 60.8%) of the total revenue.The Group’s gross profit increased by 15.4% to HK$969 million (2025: HK$840 million) with an improved gross profit margin of 33.0% (2025: 30.1%). As a result, the Group’s net profit increased significantly by 63.9% to HK$318 million (2025: HK$194 million) during the Period. Basic earnings per share was HK4.28 cents (2025: HK2.73 cents). The Board declared an interim dividend of HK0.90 cents (2025: HK0.55 cents) per share.As at 30 June 2026, bank balances and cash on hand of the Group amounted to HK$1,573 million (31 December 2025: HK$1,610 million). Since the Group was in a net cash position, hence its net gearing ratio was zero (31 December 2025: zero).During the Period, the Group opened eight jewellery stores in the Chinese Mainland, which mainly in established first-tier or new first-tier cities. Apart from the jewellery stores, a multi-brand watch store was opened on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Subsequent to the Period, a multi-storey Rolex boutique was opened on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, further strengthening the Group’s leadership position in the market. As at 30 June 2026, the Group had a total of 69 stores in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia.Ms. Cindy Yeung, Chairperson of Emperor W&J, said, “Considering several favourable factors such as a continued rebound in the stock market and higher tourist spending in Hong Kong, it is expected that the Hong Kong economy will remain resilient in the second half of 2026. In recent years, consumer behaviours have become more sophisticated, especially in the luxury market. Personalised and premium customer services as well as luxurious shopping environments are expected. In this regard, the Group has opened multi-storey Rolex boutiques in Beijing in the Chinese Mainland and Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, aiming to enhance its customers’ shopping experience and strengthen its foothold in the luxury watch market. In respect of the jewellery business, the Group has been actively exploring intellectual property (IP) collaboration opportunities in order to tap into the younger consumer market; in the meantime, gold jewellery has gained immense popularity among consumers and is gradually transforming into daily wearable accessories. The Group will therefore continue expanding its jewellery business segment, to seize market opportunities and elevate the brand presence.”About Emperor Watch & Jewellery LimitedWith long establishment history of over 80 years in Hong Kong since 1942, Emperor W&J (887.HK) is a leading retailer principally engages in the sale of European-made internationally renowned watches, and jewellery products under its own brand, “Emperor Jewellery”. Through its comprehensive watch dealership, unique marketing campaigns and extensive retail network at prime locations in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia, Emperor W&J established a strong brand image amongst its target customers ranging from middle to high income groups worldwide. In recognition of its efforts in investor relations communications, Emperor W&J was granted with “Best IR Company” (Small Cap), “Best IR Team” (Small Cap) and “Best Investor Presentation Material” (Small cap) in HKIRA Investor Relations Awards 2026 by the Hong Kong Investor Relations Association. For more information, please visit its website: www.EmperorWatchJewellery.com.Investor/Media EnquiriesAnna LukGroup Investor Relations DirectorTel: +852 2835 6783Email: annaluk@emperorgroup.comJanice AuGroup Investor Relations ManagerTel: +852 2835 6799Email: janiceau@emperorgroup.com Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Guoquan Reports 22% Revenue Growth in 1H2026, Existing Franchised Stores Sales up 7.4%, Farm GMV Soars Over Sixfold

August 20, 2026

HONG KONG, August 20, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Recently, Guoquan Food (02517) announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. The Group recorded revenue of RMB3,947 million, representing an increase of 21.8% year-on-year. Gross profit was RMB849 million, up 18.3% year-on-year, and net profit was RMB213 million, up 12.1% year-on-year. Core operating profit (non-IFRS measure) amounted to RMB225 million, up 18.3% year-on-year, representing a core operating profit margin of 5.7%.Existing Franchised Stores Sales up 7.4%; Large-Store Remodelling Reshapes Per-Store ValueWhen assessing the operational quality of a chain retail enterprise, sales of products to existing franchised stores are a more meaningful metric than new store opening numbers. As of 30 June, the Group had a total of 12,198 stores, representing a net increase of 1,798 stores. During the period, 365 stores were closed, with a store closure rate of below 3%. Revenue from existing franchised stores amounted to RMB2,581 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. Excluding the impact of new store ramp-up, this indicates that the existing franchised store network still possesses organic growth momentum.Behind the growth of existing franchised stores, large-store remodelling served as the primary driver. In the first half of the year, 684 stores completed the upgrade to the large-store model. This upgrade is not simply about expanding floor space, but rather about using larger physical space to accommodate a wider range of categories and extended operating hours – expanding consumption scenarios from hotpot and barbecue to cover all daily meal occasions, and upgrading stores from mere ingredient sales points into comprehensive community family dining entry points.Penetration into lower-tier markets progressed simultaneously. The number of stores in township markets reached 3,377. By precisely targeting these markets with high-cost-performance bulk-sale items and large-pack family packs, the “one store per town” strategy taps into the vast hinterland of approximately 38,000 townships nationwide, with penetration potential far from being exhausted.Farm Business Grows Over Sixfold, New Growth Engine Takes ShapeOnline and membership data also recorded rapid growth. Registered members reached approximately 82 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 63.0%. Member consumption accounted for 73.2% of total sales, up 12 percentage points year-on-year, indicating that the revenue structure is increasingly concentrated among highly loyal customer groups. The Douyin channel saw significant growth: platform exposure exceeded 6.97 billion views, up 117.8% year-on-year; store GMV on Douyin reached RMB910 million, up 97.2%, initially forming a closed loop between online traffic and offline conversion.Guoquan Farm was the fastest-growing business segment during the period. Its omni-channel paid GMV reached RMB240 million, up over 600% year-on-year, and it brought in over 1.92 million new members for the stores. This model does not set up an independent e-commerce platform; instead, it leverages the existing store network as front-end warehouses and pickup points, while online content seeding and traceability livestreams drive traffic, forming a closed loop of “direct sourcing – content seeding – online ordering – in-store pickup”, which theoretically reduces marginal costs. Among best-selling products, the Golden Pillow Durian Pulp attracted a total of 1.559 million buyers, with a repurchase rate of 22.06%, and also boosted sales of related categories such as durian mille-crêpe cakes, Beihai cooked salted duck eggs, and crispy ice cream. In August, the “Grassland Sheep Traceability” livestream achieved over 8.09 million total exposures within three hours, with a peak concurrent viewership of 173,000.The Farm model completely removes the physical constraints of store floor space and freezer capacity from Guoquan’s category boundaries – the “infinite shelf” combined with a 10,000-store fulfilment network represents a critical leap forward in its transformation from a hotpot ingredient retailer to a full-category platform for home dining.Institutionalised Return Mechanisms; Hong Kong Flagship Store LaunchedThe Board proposed the payment of an interim dividend of RMB0.0503 per ordinary share (tax inclusive), totalling approximately RMB128 million. During the period, the Group repurchased a total of 82,201,200 H shares on the Stock Exchange at an aggregate consideration of approximately HK$192 million. The dividend together with the share buybacks amounted to approximately RMB296 million, equivalent to 139.9% of the profit attributable to owners of the parent for the period (RMB211 million). The shareholder return ratio increased from 5.6% in 2024 and 2025 to 7.1%.In addition to the amount, the Board also approved the 2026 H-Share Equity Incentive Plan, which adopts core operating profit as the performance indicator. The reference target values for the years 2026 to 2030 are set to gradually increase from no less than RMB600 million to no less than RMB1.2 billion. By anchoring the assessment to profit rather than revenue or store count, the plan helps guide management to focus on profitability, better aligning management’s interests with those of shareholders. The high dividend payout provides immediate returns, while the equity incentive focuses on long-term growth.The Hong Kong flagship store opened on 18 August, serving as the first stop for the brand’s overseas expansion. Its positioning is not rapid replication, but rather validating the large-store model in high-tier cities and localised supply chain capabilities. According to publicly available data, the Greater Bay Area, with a population of 87 million and an economic aggregate of RMB15 trillion, coupled with the logistics efficiency of the “one-hour living circle”, provides ample room for subsequent regional deepening.Integrated Manufacturing-Retail Closed Loop; Synergies Gradually UnfoldingLinking these strategies together is the “manufacturing-retail integration” capability that Guoquan has built over the years. On the front-end “retail” ecosystem – community stores, township stores, large stores, camping stores, stir-fry stores, flash delivery, and Farm – it reaches consumers, understands scenarios, and accumulates member data. On the back-end “manufacturing” ecosystem – seven ingredient production facilities covering core categories such as seasonings, beef, surimi, and aquatic products, with a “single product, single factory” strategy complemented by digitalised central warehouses – it converts front-end demand into scaled product supply. During the period, external sales from the industrial end increased by 20.7% year-on-year, reflecting the potential for the supply chain capability to be externally deployed. The Danzhou Industrial Park in Hainan was topped out, Heyi Meat’s Phase II commenced production, and the Daixiaji Zhangzhou factory was contracted, indicating that the production capacity landscape continues to expand.Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, with the continued replication of the large-store model, the regular operation of the Farm traceability IP, and the gradual accumulation of operating data from the Hong Kong flagship store, Guoquan is expected to gain clearer market recognition of its positioning as a “home dining infrastructure platform”. From a 10,000-store scale to an ecosystem platform, Guoquan’s strategic transformation is entering a substantive realisation phase. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

ACN Newswire

HELP Therapeutics Announces Nature Medicine Has Published HiCM-188 Clinical Trial Data for Advanced Ischemic Heart Failure

August 19, 2026

NANJING, CHINA, August 20, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Aug 19, HELP Therapeutics today announced the Nature Medicine publication of 12-month results from the HEAL-CHF clinical trial evaluating HiCM-188, an investigational allogeneic human iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) therapy for the treatment of severe ischemic heart failure. The randomized controlled trial enrolled 20 patients, assigned 1:1 to receive either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone or CABG combined with transepicardial HiCM-188 injection. The study achieved both pre-specified primary safety endpoints, demonstrating no treatment-related tumor formation through 12 months and no sustained ventricular tachycardia through 6 months. At 12 months, 90% of patients receiving transepicardial HiCM-188 injection combined with (CABG improved to NYHA Class II, versus 60% of patients in the CABG-only group.."HEAL-CHF provides the first clinical evidence that delivering HiCM-188 intraoperatively during CABG may combine the benefits of revascularization with myocardial regeneration," said Professor Dongjin Wang, Lead Author and Director of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. "Over 12 months, we observed no serious cell-related adverse events alongside encouraging signs of reverse cardiac remodeling. Given the substantial global burden of heart failure and the persistent shortage of donor hearts, regenerative approaches like HiCM-188 have the potential to fill a critical unmet need for patients living with end-stage disease.""The publication of the HEAL-CHF study in Nature Medicine reflects years of dedication to advancing breakthrough stem cell technologies into clinically validated therapies," said Dr. Eugene Jiaxian Wang, Chief Executive Officer of HELP Therapeutics. "With our pivotal Phase III trial now enrolling patients in China and our Phase I program initiating in the U.S., we are eager to maintain this momentum as we work toward bringing a new regenerative medicine breakthrough to heart failure patients worldwide."About HiCM-188HiCM-188 is an investigational allogeneic human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) therapy designed as a standardized, off-the-shelf product for scalable manufacturing and distribution. HiCM-188 is the first iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte therapy worldwide to obtain Investigational New Drug (IND) clearances from both the U.S. FDA and China's NMPA. It is currently being evaluated in a multicenter Phase III trial in China led by TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, and a Phase I trial in the United States at the Texas Heart Institute.About HELP TherapeuticsFounded in 2016, HELP Therapeutics is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing iPSC-based cell therapies for cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases. The company leverages proprietary off-the-shelf cell therapy platforms and national iPSC bank infrastructure to ensure scalable clinical and commercial delivery. HELP Therapeutics has established a commercialization partnership with China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (SZSE: 000999) to build out distribution infrastructure in China. For more information, please visit https://en.helptherapeutics.com.Disclosure NoticeThe information contained in this release is as of August 19, 2026. HiCM-188 is an investigational product and has not been approved for commercial use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, China National Medical Products Administration, or any other regulatory authority. This release contains forward-looking statements regarding HiCM-188, including potential clinical benefits and regulatory development timelines, which involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.References & Publication Details1.Journal: Nature Medicine (2026) DOI: 0.1038/s41591-026-04605-12.Clinical Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03763136)3.Ethics Approval: Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital IRB (No. SC202000102); National Health Commission of China (MR-32-21-014649) Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Bank of Chongqing Stands Alone Among China’s 42 A-Share-Listed Banks: What Sets It Apart?

August 19, 2026

HONG KONG, August 20, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) -1. Revenue: Net Interest Income Drives Growth; Fee-Income Volatility Mirrors Broader Industry TrendsBank of Chongqing's headline revenue figures provide a useful starting point.In 2025, the bank reported revenue of RMB 15.113 billion, up 10.48% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 10.49% to RMB 5.654 billion.The momentum carried into the first quarter of 2026. Revenue increased 11.57% to RMB 3.996 billion and net profit rose 11.22% to RMB 1.898 billion, marking another quarter of double-digit growth in both metrics.Preliminary results for the first half of 2026 showed revenue of RMB 8.486 billion, up 10.80% year on year; profit before tax of RMB 4.081 billion, up 7.82%; and net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 3.518 billion, up 10.28%. This marked a fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in both revenue and attributable net profit, making Bank of Chongqing the only bank among the 42 listed on China's A-share market to do so.A closer look at the revenue mix shows that net interest income has been the principal growth engine. It reached RMB 12.459 billion in 2025, an increase of 22.44%. The momentum remained firm in 2026, with first-quarter net interest income rising 12.83% to RMB 3.548 billion, pointing to another solid first-half performance.As a locally rooted city commercial bank, Bank of Chongqing has played an active role in supporting the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Growth backed by strong demand from the real economy is more sustainable and gives the bank a defensible revenue base in an increasingly competitive market.Fee and commission income tells a different story. Banks' fee businesses have entered a period of deep adjustment amid tighter enforcement of rules requiring reported bancassurance commission rates to match actual payments, lower mutual-fund distribution fees, and volatility in wealth-management markets. Sharper swings in wealth-management markets produced a marked divergence in fee income among listed city commercial banks in 2025. Against the backdrop of interest-rate liberalization, while a handful of institutions continued to grow on the back of the sector's winner-takes-more dynamics, the industry remained broadly under pressure, with several listed city commercial banks recording declines of around 30% in net fee and commission income. Bank of Chongqing held up relatively well: the decline in its fee income narrowed in 2026, with early signs of stabilization and recovery.The bank has also made headway in improving the quality of its fee income. In 2025, it ranked first in Chongqing by non-financial corporate bond underwriting volume, market share, and number of issues. It also led locally incorporated financial institutions across western China. In trade finance, cross-border renminbi settlement volume increased by more than 120% year on year. These higher-quality fee income streams, underpinned by stronger service capabilities, are gradually displacing traditional conduit business and emerging as a new growth driver.Net interest margin, or NIM, rose to 1.39% in 2025 from 1.35% in 2024, an increase of 4 basis points. A breakdown of asset yields and funding costs shows what drove the improvement:Although the average yield on loans fell by 12 basis points, the average cost of deposits declined by 37 basis points. The larger reduction in funding costs offset downward pressure on asset yields, enabling the bank to deliver a stronger improvement in NIM than the industry average and highlighting more effective management of deposit pricing.Total assets reached RMB 1.034 trillion at the end of 2025, up 20.67%, taking the bank above the RMB 1 trillion threshold. Expansion continued in 2026: assets rose to RMB 1.108 trillion at the end of March, up 7.20% from year-end, and to RMB 1.109 trillion at the end of June, up 7.27% from end-2025. Market observers see the bank's growth potential at its new scale as evidence that its “Five Highs” operating strategy, centered on ambitious goals, strategic transformation, efficient operations, quality service, and high-quality growth, is gaining traction. Through greater efficiency and higher-value services, Bank of Chongqing has achieved a step-change in scale and built a more differentiated competitive position as it moves toward the ranks of leading listed commercial banks.As a locally rooted financial institution, Bank of Chongqing has anchored its growth in China's Western Development strategy and achieved a step-change in scale as it grew in tandem with the regional economy.Outstanding corporate loans rose 30.95% year on year at the end of 2025. Backed by coordinated execution across the organization, credit was directed to national priorities including the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, as well as Chongqing's '33618' modern manufacturing cluster system. The annual report showed a 60% increase in outstanding loans to technology-based enterprises and 40% growth in green lending. Manufacturing loans posted their largest absolute increase and fastest growth in five years. Outstanding financing in support of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor exceeded RMB 55 billion. This lending not only supports the real economy but also embeds the bank more deeply in customers' transaction flows, helping it attract substantial low-cost demand deposits as its balance sheet expands.2. Risk: Broad-Based Improvement in Forward-Looking Indicators Reinforces Asset QualityBank of Chongqing has put its belief that 'risk management creates value' into practice by upgrading its risk controls and steadily reducing risk exposure. At the end of 2025, the non-performing loan ratio fell by 11 basis points year on year to 1.14%. More importantly for investors, forward-looking asset-quality indicators improved in tandem: the special-mention loan ratio and overdue loan ratio declined by 70 basis points and 37 basis points from the start of the year to 1.94% and 1.36%, respectively.Asset quality improved further in the first quarter of 2026. At the end of March, the non-performing loan ratio fell by another 2 basis points to 1.12%, while the provision coverage ratio rose by 1.02 percentage points from year-end to 246.60%. The continued improvement in these forward-looking indicators, together with steadily rising provision coverage, reduces the risk of potential problem loans migrating into the non-performing category, strengthens the margin of safety, and highlights the bank's capacity to absorb credit risk.3. Institutional Views: Capital Replenishment Potential and the Case for a Valuation Re-ratingAt the end of 2025, the bank's core Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 8.53%. Rapid asset growth has consumed some capital, but the bank's RMB 13 billion convertible bond is now in its conversion period. Chongqing Expressway Group's decision to convert its holdings into shares may be only the beginning.By the end of March 2026, the bank's core Tier 1 and total capital adequacy ratios had risen to 8.67% and 12.57%, respectively. Institutional estimates suggest that full conversion of the remaining bonds could materially strengthen capital and create room for continued balance-sheet expansion during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period.After Bank of Chongqing released its annual and first-quarter reports, the market response was broadly positive. Analysts at CITIC Securities, China Merchants Securities, Zhongtai Securities, Guotai Haitong Securities, China Galaxy Securities, and Zheshang Securities published a series of follow-up notes, with ratings ranging from Buy and Overweight to Recommend and Outperform.The common thread across the reports was that the bank's move beyond RMB 1 trillion in assets was not simply a story of scale; it was also accompanied by tangible progress in lowering funding costs and improving asset quality.4. Conclusion: A Clear Case for a Return to a More Reasonable ValuationTaken together, Bank of Chongqing's performance in 2025 and the first half of 2026 points to several positive shifts: assets have crossed RMB 1 trillion, revenue and profit growth have returned to double digits, NIM has bottomed and begun to recover, and risk indicators continue to decline. These stronger fundamentals could increasingly feed through to the bank's market valuation.According to a June 9 report by BOCOM International, the banking sector was trading at between 0.5 and 0.8 times book value, near the bottom of its valuation range. That has sharpened investor focus on listed banks' share-price performance and market-capitalization management practices.Changjiang Securities argues that a turning point in fund flows into bank stocks is already in place. Broad-based index funds tracking the CSI 300 recorded net outflows of nearly RMB 1 trillion in the first half of 2026, while active mutual funds' exposure to banks fell to a record low. The brokerage believes the impact of those reductions has now been fully absorbed, and that bank valuations will enter a slow, gradual recovery from the second half of 2026.With sector NIMs stabilizing and earnings expectations improving, high-quality regional city commercial banks are drawing renewed institutional interest. As confidence in Bank of Chongqing's re-rating case grows, a higher weighting in institutional portfolios, together with the stock's high dividend yield and low valuation, could help the shares move decisively out of undervalued territory and toward a more reasonable valuation. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

ACN Newswire

Everest Medicines Reports 1H 2026 Results, Enters New Phase as Growth Accelerates and Innovation Gains Momentum

August 19, 2026

HONG KONG, August 19, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Everest Medicines (01952.HK) announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Everest delivered strong growth and reached an important profitability milestone in the first half of 2026. Total revenue increased 157% year-on-year to RMB 1.148 billion, driven by continued commercial momentum across the company’s portfolio. Gross margin excluding non-cash items reached 73.7%, while operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased by 64.0 percentage points year-on-year, reflecting increasing operating leverage and execution efficiency.From the first-half results, the company’s growth drivers are broadening beyond the commercialization of core products to include portfolio expansion, monetization of innovative assets, and global expansion.In the first half of 2026, the company achieved non-IFRS net profit of RMB 97.23 million, while IFRS net loss narrowed by 98% year-on-year. Everest ended the period with RMB 1.859 billion in cash. Following the reporting period, the company received approximately RMB 770 million in July from the upfront payment under its global licensing and collaboration agreement for civorebrutinib, further strengthening its financial position and capacity to invest in future growth.Mr. Yifang Wu, Chairman of the Board of Everest Medicines, said: “Everest Medicines has entered a new phase of development as an innovation-driven, integrated biopharmaceutical company. Guided by our 2030 Strategy, we are strengthening our capabilities in innovation, commercialization, and global development, accelerating the realization of global value and laying a stronger foundation for sustainable, high-quality growth.”During the period, the company achieved profitability, while expanding its innovative pipeline and advancing its R&D programs. Through continued efforts to strengthen its BD capabilities, the company is developing a model that combines in-licensed and internally developed early-stage assets, exemplified by civorebrutinib (also known as EVER001), with internal incubation and development creating opportunities to out-license innovative assets and realize their value. At the same time, the company is bringing in high-quality mid- to late-stage assets, exemplified by NEFECON(R), while continuing to build its commercialization capabilities and generate further opportunities for BD partnerships. These efforts are enhancing the efficiency of innovation resource allocation and accelerating the translation of innovation into clinical and commercial value.Everest’s marketed portfolio continued to gain momentumNEFECON(R) maintained strong sales momentum. In the first half of 2026, sales revenue from NEFECON(R) reached RMB 889 million, with net sales increasing 94% year-on-year. Through deeper penetration across key hospitals, broader market expansion, enhanced physician and patient education, and continued generation of real-world evidence, Everest is supporting broader adoption of treatment strategies focused on addressing underlying causes, early intervention, and long-term management. Following approval, VELSIPITY(R) moved rapidly into commercialization, with local manufacturing progressing. XERAVA(R) delivered steady hospital sales growth, while local manufacturing advanced as planned. The company also reached an understanding with Hainan Herui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. regarding certain NEFECON(R)-related patent matters and entered into a commercialization collaboration for budesonide enteric capsules, further broadening treatment options for patients.Meanwhile, commercialization services for Hasten Biopharmaceuticals continued to contribute to revenue growth. Services for mature products under the CSO arrangement commenced in March 2026, generating RMB 145 million in service revenue and RMB 28 million in commercialization profit in the first half of the year.Mr. Rogers Yongqing Luo, Chief Executive Officer of Everest Medicines, said: “In the first half of 2026, the company continued to execute its strategy and accelerate the translation of innovation into clinical and commercial value. Solid progress across commercialization, BD, in-house R&D, and global expansion further strengthened our foundation for sustainable growth and our ability to bring innovative therapies to patients.Our BD strategy is building a diversified portfolio of future growth drivers through global partnerships for internally developed assets and selective in-licensing of differentiated innovative assets, while our in-house R&D continues to generate clinical progress. With the establishment of a pan-Asia-Pacific commercialization platform, we are also extending our proven capabilities from China into other Asian markets.”EVER001 global licensing deal expected to accelerate overseas developmentIn June, the company entered into an exclusive licensing and collaboration agreement with Travere Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TVTX) for the development and commercialization of civorebrutinib (also known as EVER001) in all markets outside China and certain countries in East and Southeast Asia. The deal has a total potential value of up to $1.1425 billion, including an upfront payment of $112.5 million and up to approximately $1.03 billion in additional cash payments tied to specified clinical development, regulatory and commercial milestones across up to five indications. Travere will also pay tiered royalties on future sales in its licensed territories, ranging from high single-digit to double-digit percentages based on annual net sales thresholds.CICC believes the partnership is expected to accelerate the global clinical development and commercialization of EVER001 and could advance its development in membranous nephropathy. BOCOM International is positive on EVER001’s overseas market potential and its development opportunities across additional indications. EVER001 achieved positive 52-week Phase 1b/2a clinical results, and a Phase 2 basket trial has been initiated in China to further evaluate its potential in autoimmune kidney diseases, including FSGS, MCD, and IgAN.BD expansion further strengthens the product pipelineThe company continued to selectively introduce mid- to late-stage assets with strong commercial potential. MT1013, DMX-200, and Bejescin(R) strengthened its nephrology and autoimmune portfolio; CARDAMYST(R) and Sumecigrel (formerly known as Vicagrel) further expanded its cardiovascular portfolio; and LNZ100, together with VIS-101, enhanced its ophthalmology portfolio.With multiple assets moving through key regulatory and commercialization milestones, the company is building a diversified portfolio of future growth drivers. CARDAMYST(R) is expected to receive approval in the third quarter of 2026, LEROCHOL(R) and LNZ100 are expected to receive approval in 2027, and MT1013 is expected to receive approval in 2028.In-house R&D and pan-Asia-Pacific expansion advanceThe company’s in-house R&D also translated into clinical progress. The company’s proprietary AI+mRNA platform also advanced, with its personalized mRNA cancer vaccine EVM16 achieving its first-in-human clinical data readout and planned to enter an investigator-initiated Phase 1b study in the fourth quarter of 2026. EVM18, the company’s in vivo CAR-T therapy, has initiated IIT studies across multiple autoimmune diseases and is advancing toward global IND filings.The acquisition of Hasten Biopharmaceuticals (SG) Pte. Ltd. further strengthened the company’s global commercialization capabilities and established a pan-Asia-Pacific commercialization platform. The platform provides a foundation for scaling the company’s proven commercialization capabilities from China across Asian markets, supporting the regional expansion of both existing and future products.Meanwhile, CBC Group and the company’s Directors have collectively purchased 5.163 million shares since December 2025, with the transactions totaling more than HK$172.5 million, demonstrating their confidence in the company’s strategic direction and long-term prospects.Overall, Everest Medicines is gradually developing a growth model built on the commercialization of core products, portfolio expansion through BD, a pipeline of innovative assets generated through in-house R&D, and international expansion through global partnerships and its pan-Asia-Pacific platform. As the company enters its new phase, the coordinated strengthening of its capabilities in innovation resource integration, commercialization, and global development is expected to provide an important foundation for future growth. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 … 70