烧钱23年却无产品上市 和美药业赴港IPO求生

Core Viewpoint - He Mei Pharmaceutical is urgently seeking an IPO after 23 years of product development, with its first drug Mufemilast recently approved, amidst a highly competitive market for psoriasis treatments [1][4]. Company Overview - Founded in 2002, He Mei Pharmaceutical has raised over 1.2 billion yuan and incurred losses exceeding 1.1 billion yuan, achieving a valuation of 3.9 billion yuan without any products on the market [1][3]. - The company has been in a continuous state of high cash burn, with significant R&D expenditures primarily focused on Mufemilast, which has taken over 16 years to develop [2][3]. Product Development - Mufemilast's development timeline began in 2009, with clinical trials starting in 2012, and it received approval for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in September 2025 [2]. - The R&D costs for Mufemilast accounted for 60% of the total R&D expenses from 2023 to mid-2025, reflecting the heavy investment required for its development [2]. Market Competition - The psoriasis drug market in China is highly competitive, with 18 approved targeted therapies, including 5 small molecules and 13 biologics, leading to a fierce price war [4][5]. - Major competitors include established products from international pharmaceutical giants, which have already captured significant market shares [4][5]. Pricing Strategy - He Mei Pharmaceutical plans to set Mufemilast's initial annual treatment cost between 52,700 and 119,900 yuan, positioning it above some small molecule competitors but below the price of leading biologics [7]. - The relatively high pricing strategy may hinder Mufemilast's competitiveness, especially among price-sensitive patients requiring long-term treatment [7][8]. Commercialization Challenges - The commercialization of Mufemilast is expected to be slow due to the nature of psoriasis as a chronic disease, which requires extensive academic promotion and trust-building among healthcare professionals [8]. - Even if Mufemilast successfully launches, it may not generate significant revenue quickly enough to offset the company's ongoing losses [8].