{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-04/minghui-aska-mhb018a-japan-license","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-04/minghui-aska-mhb018a-japan-license.md","title":"Minghui Pharmaceutical Licenses Eye Drug to ASKA for $110 Million","headline":"Minghui Pharmaceutical Grants ASKA Japan Rights to Thyroid Eye Disease Antibody MHB018A","description":"Minghui Pharmaceutical receives $110 million upfront from ASKA for Japanese rights to MHB018A, its subcutaneous IGF-1R antibody for thyroid eye disease.","section":"Partnerships","published_at":"2026-11-04T06:46:34+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-04T06:46:34+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Minghui Pharmaceutical will receive a $110 million upfront payment from ASKA Pharmaceutical under an exclusive Japan license for MHB018A.","Minghui is eligible for up to $330 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestones plus tiered royalties up to mid-30% on Japanese net sales.","MHB018A is in a Phase 3 program of four randomized pivotal studies, two in China and two global, in active and chronic thyroid eye disease."],"companies":[{"name":"Minghui Pharmaceutical","is_primary":true,"profile_url":null,"website":"https://www.minghuipharma.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"PR Newswire APAC","title":"Minghui Pharmaceutical and ASKA Pharmaceutical Enter into Exclusive License Agreement for the IGF-1R Antibody in Japan","url":"https://en.prnasia.com/story/554609-0.shtml"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Partnerships","Minghui Pharmaceutical"],"body_markdown":"Minghui Pharmaceutical will receive a $110 million upfront payment from ASKA Pharmaceutical under an exclusive license to develop and commercialize MHB018A, an antibody for thyroid eye disease, in Japan. The companies announced the agreement on November 4, 2026, [PR Newswire APAC](https://en.prnasia.com/story/554609-0.shtml) reported. Minghui is eligible for up to $330 million in additional milestones and tiered royalties up to mid-30% on Japanese net sales.\n\n## How the MHB018A Japan License Works\n\nMHB018A is a humanized antibody given subcutaneously that targets insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, or IGF-1R, for active and chronic thyroid eye disease. Under the agreement, ASKA receives exclusive rights to develop the drug, seek regulatory approval and commercialize it in Japan. Minghui keeps all rights outside Japan and continues to lead global development.\n\nMinghui said Phase 2 data presented orally at ENDO 2026 showed improvements across multiple clinically meaningful endpoints in patients with active and chronic thyroid eye disease, with no new or unexpected safety signals. The company is running a Phase 3 program of four randomized pivotal studies: two in China and two global studies with sites in the United States, Europe, Japan and other regions, designed to support regulatory submissions worldwide.\n\nDr. Guoqing Cao, founder and chief executive of Minghui, said Japan is an important market for the drug and that ASKA brings expertise in endocrinology, clinical development, regulatory affairs and commercialization. \"This partnership marks another important step toward bringing MHB018A to patients worldwide,\" Cao said.\n\nSohta Yamaguchi, president and representative director of ASKA Pharmaceutical, said the deal strengthens the company's presence in thyroid disease and specialty care and expands its product portfolio. \"TED is a disease with limited treatment options and significant unmet medical needs in Japan,\" Yamaguchi said. ASKA Pharmaceutical is a wholly owned subsidiary of ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under code 4886, and holds a leadership position in Japan's thyroid hormone therapy market.\n\nStifel served as exclusive financial advisor to Minghui, and Fangda Partners served as legal advisor. Minghui describes itself on [its website](https://www.minghuipharma.com) as a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies in immunology and oncology.\n\n## What Comes Next for Minghui and ASKA\n\nASKA will pursue regulatory approval for MHB018A in Japan under the license. Minghui's two global Phase 3 studies include sites in Japan, and the company said the four pivotal studies are designed to support regulatory submissions worldwide.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}