Recently, the kick-off meeting for the "Innovative Drug Development for Heart Failure" project, part of the National Science and Technology Major Project for innovative drug R&D, was successfully held in Nanjing. The project is led by Professor Cai Jun, Vice President of Capital Medical University, and involves participating institutions including Zhejiang Doer Biologics Co., Ltd., Beijing Sungen Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., Innovent Biologics, Inc., Beijing Shengdi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Beijing Institute of Technology, among other top domestic universities and pharmaceutical companies. Focusing on the global challenge of refractory heart failure treatment, the project aims to establish a precision R&D system covering the entire chain of "target discovery – drug design – clinical validation," driving the transition of cardiovascular therapies from generalized treatment to precision stratification, and achieving high-level independent innovation in China's cardiovascular drug development.
Zhejiang Doer Biologics Co., Ltd.'s globally first-in-class triple agonist DR10624, targeting FGF21 receptor, GCG receptor, and GLP-1 receptor, has been successfully selected and secured support from the 2026 National Science and Technology Major Project "Innovative Drug Development for Heart Failure." Doer Biologics also serves as the lead unit for Topic 3: "Clinical Research of Innovative Drugs for Heart Failure Targeting Energy Metabolism Disorders" and is responsible for the Phase II clinical study of DR10624 in heart failure indications.
The kick-off meeting was chaired by Professor Chen Zhenzhen from Anzhen Hospital. Attendees included Director Yu Zhenxing from the Medical Affairs Division of the China National Biotech Development Center, Project Lead and Principal Investigator Professor Cai Jun, Director Zhan Zhenzhen from the Science and Technology Department of Beijing Anzhen Hospital, along with principal investigators of each topic and key project members.
In his guiding remarks, Director Yu Zhenxing from the Medical Affairs Division of the China National Biotech Development Center emphasized that the project team must firmly anchor on the objectives outlined in the task book, adopt a holistic planning mindset, implement milestone-based execution, and establish a quarterly routine progress review mechanism. Project Lead and Principal Investigator, Professor Cai Jun, Vice President of Capital Medical University, stated that the project integrates top-tier national resources in clinical research, basic science, AI-driven R&D, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and that internal management mechanisms will be strictly enforced to ensure research integrity and clinical rigor. Director Zhan Zhenzhen from the Science and Technology Department of Anzhen Hospital, on behalf of the host institution, pledged to provide full support to ensure the efficient implementation of the project.
As the principal investigator of Topic 3, Dr. Fang Yongliang, Chief Operating Officer of Zhejiang Doer Biologics Co., Ltd., presented the clinical development plan and latest progress of DR10624 and IBI362 for the treatment of heart failure on behalf of the participating units of Topic 3, Zhejiang Doer Biologics Co., Ltd. and Innovent Biologics, Inc
DR10624, a globally first-in-class long-acting triple agonist independently developed by Zhejiang Doer Biologics Co., Ltd., has received approval from China's NMPA for clinical trials in adult patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF). DR10624 has previously shown positive clinical progress in indications such as severe hypertriglyceridemia and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the NMPA's Center for Drug Evaluation in January 2026 (for severe hypertriglyceridemia, sHTG).
During the discussion session, Dr. Fang Yongliang, representing the participating units of Topic 3, Zhejiang Doer Biologics Co., Ltd. and Innovent Biologics, Inc., affirmed that they would strictly adhere to the project task book requirements and timelines, collaborate closely with other participating units through resource sharing and coordinated efforts, and successfully fulfill the project objectives.
The selection of DR10624 into the 2026 National Science and Technology Major Project for innovative drug development, along with Doer Biologics' role as a topic lead unit, represents a strong recognition of its R&D capabilities and clinical translation expertise. Doer Biologics will take this kick-off meeting as a new starting point, continuing to focus on unmet clinical needs and providing global patients with innovative therapeutic solutions originating from China in areas such as metabolism and oncology, thereby contributing core strength to enhancing the international competitiveness of China's innovative drug R&D.