Astrogen and Cigalah Sign Exclusive MENA Partnership for AST-001

DONG-GU, South Korea - Jan. 6, 2026 - PRLog -- Astrogen, inc. ("Astrogen") announced on January 2, 2026 that it has entered into an exclusive agreement for the technology transfer and commercialization of AST-001 with Cigalah Medpharm, part of Cigalah Group.

AST-001 is Astrogen's lead therapeutic candidate specifically developed to treat the core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The partnership spans 16 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including key markets such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt.

Under the terms of the agreement, Astrogen will supply AST-001 valued at USD 131 million, and is eligible to receive up to USD 77.5 million in regulatory and commercial milestone payments, in addition to double digits tiered royalties on net sales of AST-001. Initial sales to begin through named patient basis in select markets to enable early access for patients, followed by a full commercial launch upon completion of technology transfer, regulatory approvals, and pricing agreements.

A key component of the partnership is the commitment to localizing pharmaceutical manufacturing within the region. Astrogen will proceed with technology transfer to Alpha Pharma, Cigalah's manufacturing arm located in King Abdullah Economic City, KSA. This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes strengthening domestic pharmaceutical production, improving patient access, and enhancing supply-chain resilience for high-value CNS therapies.

"We are thrilled to partner with Cigalah, a proven leader in the MENA pharmaceutical market with deep regulatory expertise and robust commercial infrastructure," said Dr. Su-Kyeong Hwang, CEO of Astrogen, inc. "This agreement is a transformative milestone in Astrogen's global expansion strategy. By leveraging Cigalah's regional capabilities and expertise in local manufacturing, we aim to accelerate the availability of AST-001 to families in the MENA region who urgently need effective treatment options for ASD."

Mr. Yaser Naghi, Chairman and CEO of Cigalah Group, commented: "Cigalah is committed to bringing innovative, life-changing therapies to patients across the MENA region. ASD remains an area with significant unmet medical need, and Astrogen's AST-001 represents a promising advancement in this field. This partnership not only enables us to deliver an important new therapeutic option, but also further strengthens our local manufacturing ecosystem through Alpha Pharma. We look forward to a long and impactful collaboration."