JunHe Assists WestGene Biopharma and CREATE in its Strategic Licensing and Collaboration Agreement

On August 31, 2026, Chengdu WestGene Biopharma (WestGene), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative mRNA drugs and novel nanoparticle delivery systems (LNP/tLNP), announced a strategic licensing and collaboration agreement with CREATE Medicines (CREATE), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to in vivo immune reprogramming.

This collaboration will combine CREATE's innovative mRNA-CAR technology with WestGene's targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) delivery platform to advance three in vivo cell therapy projects. The aim is to explore the application potential of these technologies in autoimmune diseases, hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The two parties will collaborate on the adaptation of mRNA-CAR technology with delivery systems, formulation optimization, pharmacodynamic studies, safety evaluation and subsequent development to jointly promote the candidate products.

Both parties will grant licenses to each other on a per-project basis. WestGene will obtain exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of the potential collaborative products in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. CREATE will obtain the exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of the collaborative products in global markets outside Greater China. WestGene will receive early-stage research and development fees as well as upfront and milestone payments tied to the subsequent development and commercialization progress, and will be eligible for sales royalties after the product launch.

JunHe was entrusted by WestGene to review, amend and negotiate the agreement for this project. JunHe earned the trust and recognition of the client with its consistently efficient, rigorous work style and meticulous, dedicated service attitude.

ZHAO, Hao (Gerry) was the lead partner for this project.