Hengrui Pharma (ASX: 01276) has announced that it recently received a "Notice of Termination of Drug Registration Application" from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), agreeing to the company's withdrawal of the registration application for Emaxitinib Ointment.

Emaxitinib Ointment is a topical, highly selective JAK1 inhibitor. It can better inhibit JAK1 signaling through high local exposure, exerting anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive biological effects.

The company's oral tablet product targeting the same pathway, Emaxitinib Sulfate Tablets, was approved for marketing in March 2025. It has now received approval for four indications, including ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and alopecia areata.

The withdrawal of this registration application for Emaxitinib Ointment is not expected to have a significant impact on the company's current and future production, operations, or financial performance. The company stated it will efficiently advance all subsequent related work.