Annual Report 2024

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 14 The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited Annual Report 2024 Pharmaceutical Research and Development During the year, the Group invested a total of RMB985.5 million in pharmaceutical research and development, with a year-on-year increase in R&D of 21.9%, including expensed R&D investment of RMB890.8 million and capitalisation of R&D investment of RMB94.7 million. The Group has established a comprehensive research and development system composed of multiple platforms, including biological research and development, chemical drug research and development, innovative drug research and development, animal healthcare research and development, clinical study, and external cooperation. The Group had 45 human-use new drugs under development, of which 22 projects are Class 1 new drugs, focusing on the areas of endocrinology, metabolism, autoimmunity, ophthalmology and anti-infection; There are a total of 59 new products under development in animal healthcare, covering pets, livestock, poultry and aquatic products. In addition, projects such as quality and efficacy consistency evaluation of generic drugs (“consistency evaluation”) and medical aesthetics are also progressing steadily. During the year, the Group made the following major progress in R&D: – In January, the first subject was enrolled in the phase II clinical trial of TUL01101 Tablets, a class-I new drug , for indications of medium and severe atopic dermatitis. TUL01101 Tablets is a selective inhibitor of the small molecule tyrosine kinase JAK1. JAK inhibitor as a new type of therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis is featured with outstanding curative efficacy and less side effects. – In May, the first subject was enrolled in the phase II clinical trial of TUL01101 Ointment, a class-I new drug . TUL01101 Ointment is a topically administered, locally acting JAK1 inhibitor that avoids potential safety concerns associated with exposure to the drug system and demonstrates improved clinical utility. – In May, the phase III clinical trial of diabetes indication summary meeting of Semaglutide Injection was successfully held, with over 70 experts in endocrine metabolism, statistics and quality management in attendance. – In June, the first subject of phase III clinical trial of Insulin Degludec and Liraglutide Injection were enrolled. Insulin Degludec and Liraglutide Injection is used in adult Type 2 diabetes patients with poor blood glucose control. It can effectively control blood glucose throughout the day at the dosage of one injection per day. – In July, Phase Ia clinical study of UBT251 Injection, a Class 1 new drug , was completed in healthy subjects in China. At present, the Company is the first enterprise in China and the second in the world to be approved for the clinical trials of a long-acting triple-target receptor agonist of GLP-1/GIP/GCG prepared by chemically synthesized polypeptide method.