To The Moon

On March 20, 2026, Beiersdorf issued another public statement. While the first part of the statement focuses on the results related to Thiamidol®630, we make no comment on their product claims. However, the latter part again refers to KT-939 and selectively interprets the International Search Report (ISR) and Written Opinion issued during the PCT international application process (PCT/CN2025/091903). To ensure that consumers and investors have an accurate understanding of the situation, Kintor Pharmaceutical hereby clarifies the following:

The PCT International Search Report is a preliminary reference opinion. Substantive examination by national patent offices has not yet begun, and it does not constitute a final determination on patent grant.

Under the global framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and established international practice:

1.The International Search Report (ISR) and its Written Opinion serve only as non-binding, non-conclusive preliminary assessments for applicants during the international phase.

2.Once a PCT application enters the national phase, each sovereign patent office (such as CNIPA, USPTO, EPO, JPO, etc.) retains full and independent authority for substantive examination.

It is a common practice in patent prosecution that applications receiving negative opinions at the international stage may ultimately be granted through responses, claim amendments, or submission of additional experimental data.

As a multinational company with over 140 years of history, Beiersdorf has itself filed numerous PCT applications and successfully obtained patents. A review of its past patent practice shows that several Thiamidol®-related compound patents also received negative ISRs at the international stage but were ultimately granted across major jurisdictions. This demonstrates that preliminary opinions issued during the early PCT stage are not equal to final patent outcomes.

At this point, the statement by Beiersdorf is no longer about science, but about commercial tactics.

Case 1 (WO2011117034A): The PCT ISR concluded that Claims 1–6 lacked inventive step. However, the application was ultimately granted in key markets including China, the United States, and Japan.

Case 2 (WO2013041537A1): The ISR indicated that Claims 1–6 and 8–11 lacked inventive step. Nevertheless, the application was eventually granted in multiple jurisdictions including China, Europe, and Japan.

Case 3 (WO2013041526A1): The ISR concluded that Claims 1–6 lacked novelty and inventive step. The patent was ultimately granted in the United States, China, Japan, and other countries.

Case 4 (WO2013041535A1): The ISR determined that Claims 1–7 and 9–12 lacked inventive step. The application was still granted in multiple jurisdictions. 

The discovery and innovation of KT-939 originated in China, but its commercial value extends globally. Kintor Pharmaceutical is committed to providing safer and more effective skin-brightening ingredients to consumers worldwide and collaborates openly with cosmetic brands through a flexible business model. Statements made by Beiersdorf will not alter our commercialization strategy.

We firmly believe that commercial disputes should be resolved based on facts and law. Compliance with patent law and commercial regulations applies equally to all enterprises whether multinational corporations or emerging innovators. Public opinion campaigns should come to an end.

Given that the two statements issued by Beiersdorf have caused significant harm to our company’s share price and the reputation of KT-939, we will resolutely take legal actions to protect our legitimate rights and interests, as well as those of innovative enterprises.

Kintor Pharmaceutical Ltd.March 24, 2026

Original patent documents of Beiersdorf are available at the following links:

WO2013041526A1

https://patentscope2.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2013041526&_cid=JP2-MN0ZLI-94762-1

WO2013041535A1

https://patentscope2.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2013041535&_cid=JP2-MN11RB-85925-1

WO2013041537A1

https://patentscope2.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2013041537&_cid=JP2-MN11U5-87906-1

WO2011117034A2

https://patentscope2.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2011117034&_cid=JP2-MN11VY-89174-1

About Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited

Founded in 2009, Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited focuses on developing and commercializing potential "first-in-class" and "best-in-class" innovative drugs and functional cosmetics, aiming to be a leading enterprise in such areas, and establish a “troika” business model formed by R&D business of innovative topical drugs, B2B business of functional cosmetic raw materials and B2C business of functional cosmetic products. After several years' development, the Company has developed diverse product pipeline built on dermatology related diseases. The products cover diseases with high incidence rate globally and extend to functional cosmetics, which can meet the needs of clinical dermatology and cosmetics consumers worldwide. Kintor Pharma's layout includes innovative small molecule and biologic drugs, consisting of five productsunder clinical development and several preclinical research programs. Kintor Pharma has been granted more than 100 patents worldwide. On 22 May 2020, Kintor Pharma was officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the stock code 9939.HK. For more information, please visit www.kintor.com.cn.