---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001787306-23-000079"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ARQT"
cik: "0001787306"
company_name: "Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-08-14T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T12:11:45.941045+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Arcutis Biotherapeutics signs license deal with Huadong for ZORYVE in Asia, receiving $30M upfront

## Summary
- Arcutis grants exclusive license to Huadong for ZORYVE cream and ARQ-154 foam in Greater China and Southeast Asia.
- Huadong pays $30 million upfront, with potential $24 million in development/regulatory milestones and $40.25 million in sales milestones.
- Arcutis receives low double-digit to high-teen double-digit royalties on net sales during the royalty term.
- Huadong is responsible for development, regulatory approval, and commercialization at its own expense.
- The agreement covers dermatological indications and includes termination provisions for breach, insolvency, or IP challenges.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001787306-23-000079
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ARQT
- cik: 0001787306
- company_name: Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-08-14T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730623000079/0001787306-23-000079-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730623000079/arqt-20230810.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001787306-23-000079
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001787306-23-000079.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001787306-23-000079.txt

## Key facts
- Material Agreements
  Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. entered into License Agreement with Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. valued at upfront payment of $30 million; potential development and regulatory milestone payments up to $24 mi (effective 2023-08-10).
  - Action: entry
  - Agreement: license
  - Counterparty: Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  - Value: upfront payment of $30 million; potential development and regulatory milestone payments up to $24 mi
  - Effective: 2023-08-10
  source text: On August 10, 2023, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. ("Arcutis" or the "Company") entered into a License Agreement (the "License Agreement") with Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Huadong"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730623000079/0001787306-23-000079-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.