COSCIENS Biopharma And Wuzhou Sign 10-Year Exclusive Deal For Macrilen Distribution In Asia

COSCIENS Biopharma Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Aeterna Zentaris GmbH, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Wuzhou Drug International Trading Limited for Macrilen® (macimorelin) across several Asian markets. The deal grants Wuzhou the rights to commercialize the oral diagnostic test for Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, and the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Hainan.

Dr. Matthias Gerlach, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of Aeterna Zentaris GmbH commented: “We are very pleased to partner with Wuzhou, with their proven track record in the Greater China region and Southeast Asia, deep regulatory expertise and strong commercial presence in the Greater Bay Area and Singapore specifically. This agreement represents a key step in our strategy to unlock the global potential of Macrilen® and to build sustainable, long -term revenue streams.”

Under this agreement, Wuzhou will handle the regulatory approvals, importation processes, and market rollout of Macrilen® in the designated regions. The partnership leverages the “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect” initiative, which facilitates faster access to innovative therapies within the Greater Bay Area. The contract spans an initial ten-year period and includes a minimum first order valued at approximately €800,000.

 Dr. Gerlach continued, “Entering these dynamic Asian markets allows us to address a significant unmet need for a convenient, oral diagnostic option for patients suspected of suffering from growth hormone deficiency. We look forward to working closely with the Wuzhou team to bring this innovative diagnostic test to patients and healthcare providers across the region and ultimately helping improve patient outcomes through earlier and more accurate diagnosis.”

COSCIENS continues to expand its footprint in life sciences through a diverse portfolio that spans pharmaceutical therapies, diagnostic solutions, and natural active ingredients. Its natural ingredients division uses proprietary extraction and manufacturing technology to produce Avenanthramides and Beta Glucan, components widely used by global skincare brands.

Mr. Zheng Guo Shang, General Manager of Wuzhou commented, “Wuzhou is dedicated to introducing high-quality, innovative healthcare solutions to the Greater China and Southeast Asian markets. We identify a strong strategic fit for Macrilen® within our specialty portfolio, particularly given the clear demand for a reliable and patient-friendly diagnostic tool for AGHD. We are eager to leverage our regulatory capabilities and hospital network to navigate the approval pathways in Hong Kong, Macao, and the pilot zones of Guangdong and Hainan, ensuring that patients have access to this gold-standard diagnostic as swiftly as possible.”

Macrilen® (macimorelin), the company’s leading pharmaceutical product, is a ghrelin agonist that triggers growth hormone release from the pituitary gland. It remains the first and only oral diagnostic approved by both the FDA and EMA for confirming AGHD, offering a modern, non-invasive alternative to traditional stimulation tests.