BOAN BIOTECH (06955) surged nearly 7% in early trading, with gains moderating to 4.3% at the time of writing, reaching HK$10.91 and a turnover of HK$21.45 million.

On November 26, BOAN BIOTECH announced that its self-developed Boanji® (Aflibercept Ophthalmic Injection Solution) has officially received marketing approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The drug is indicated for treating neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in adults.

The company will collaborate with China's leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical platform, Ocumension Therapeutics, to commercialize the product in mainland China. Boanji® is a biosimilar to EYLEA® (Aflibercept), with its active ingredient being a humanized fusion protein. Compared to anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies, it binds more broadly to vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-B) and placental growth factor (PlGF).

As a first-line treatment for nAMD, DME, and other retinal diseases, Aflibercept offers prolonged VEGF suppression in the eye, effectively improving vision with long-term efficacy and favorable overall safety and tolerability.

Beyond China, BOAN BIOTECH is actively advancing Boanji®'s global expansion. The company has previously granted Sinovac Biotech's wholly-owned subsidiary, Shenzhen Sinovac Biopharmaceutical, exclusive sales rights for the product in regions excluding mainland China, the EU, the UK, the U.S., and Japan.