The project will be led by Stanford professors Chaitan Khosla and Cui Bianxiao under the Stanford Innovative Medicines Accelerator. Under the terms of the deal, Simcere will provide full funding for the exploratory research phase. If the study proves successful, the Shanghai-based company will secure an exclusive license for global rights to the resulting therapy.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis remains a critical clinical challenge, as current treatments fail to reverse the progressive stiffening of lung tissue. With a five-year survival rate hovering between 20% and 40%, the partnership seeks to translate fundamental chemical biology breakthroughs into viable medical interventions. This agreement marks the second joint first-in-class venture between the two institutions, signaling an expansion of Simcere’s R&D strategy toward complex respiratory diseases.