HBM Holdings-B, a pharmaceutical company focused on respiratory diseases, saw its shares surge 5.66% during Wednesday's intraday trading session. This rally came after the company announced that it had received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the Chinese regulatory authority NMPA for its drug candidate HBM9378/SKB378, intended for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The IND clearance marks a significant milestone for HBM Holdings-B, as it paves the way for the initiation of clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HBM9378/SKB378. Positive results from these trials could potentially lead to regulatory approval and commercialization of the drug, positioning the company as a key player in the COPD treatment market.

Investors have responded favorably to this development, as it demonstrates the company's progress in its drug development pipeline and increases confidence in its future prospects. However, it is important to note that the drug candidate still needs to navigate through multiple phases of clinical trials before reaching the market, and the path to regulatory approval can be challenging and uncertain.