Lynk Pharmaceuticals

Lynk Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2018, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Hangzhou, China, with operations in Shanghai and Boston. The company was established by a team of seasoned research and development experts and executives from major pharmaceutical corporations including Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson. The founding team, which includes CEO Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan, CSO Dr. Jun Wang, COO Jarod Chen, and Head of Chemistry Dr. Michael Vazquez, possesses an average of over two decades of experience in drug discovery and development. Dr. Wan previously served as a head of chemistry at Johnson & Johnson, while Dr. Wang was a research fellow at Merck, and Dr. Vazquez worked as an associate fellow at Pfizer for more than ten years.

The company focuses on the discovery and development of First-in-Class (FIC) and Best-in-Class (BIC) small molecule drugs targeting autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and oncology. Lynk Pharmaceuticals' business model centers on advancing its proprietary drug pipeline through clinical trials, with a strategy that includes both independent development and strategic partnerships for commercialization. Revenue is generated through out-licensing agreements, such as the ex-Chinese rights for its lead asset to a U.S. company, and future drug sales upon market approval. A key collaboration was established with Simcere Pharmaceutical in March 2022 to commercialize LNK01001 in Greater China for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis indications.

Lynk's pipeline is built around highly selective kinase inhibitors. Its lead drug candidate, LNK01001, is a highly selective JAK1 inhibitor that has completed Phase II trials for rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and ankylosing spondylitis, meeting all primary endpoints. Another key asset is LNK01004, a topical, skin-restricted pan-JAK inhibitor for atopic dermatitis, which has shown positive results in a Phase 1b study by providing localized treatment with minimal systemic exposure, thereby enhancing its safety profile. The company is also advancing LNK01003, an intestine-restricted JAK inhibitor for Ulcerative Colitis, which has entered Phase II trials. The company has successfully raised significant capital through multiple funding rounds, including a $50 million Series B in August 2021 and a Series C round totaling 322 million RMB in 2023, attracting investors like Lilly Asia Ventures, New Alliance Capital, and Legend Capital.

Keywords: Lynk Pharmaceuticals, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical, autoimmune diseases, oncology, inflammation, small molecule drugs, JAK inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, LNK01001, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, ankylosing spondylitis, LNK01004, LNK01003, ulcerative colitis, drug development, pharmaceutical partnerships, venture capital, Lilly Asia Ventures, Simcere Pharmaceutical, Zhao-Kui Wan, FIC drugs, BIC drugs