Hutchison China Meditech Limited Chi-Med Initiates HMPL-523 Clinical Trials
10 January 2017 - 6:00PM
RNS Non-Regulatory
TIDMHCM
Hutchison China Meditech Limited
10 January 2017
Press Release
Chi-Med Initiates HMPL-523 Clinical Trials in Hematological
Cancer in China
London: Tuesday, January 10, 2017: Hutchison China MediTech
Limited ("Chi-Med") (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) today announces that it has
initiated a Phase I trial of its novel spleen tyrosine kinase
("Syk") inhibitor, HMPL-523, in patients with hematological
malignancies in China. The first patient was dosed on December 27,
2016. This study complements the ongoing Phase I trial in patients
in Australia with hematological malignancies, which is expected to
complete dose-escalation in the first half of 2017.
Syk, a non-receptor type of tyrosine kinase, plays a pivotal
role in the regulation of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling
pathway, which regulates proliferation, differentiation and
survival of B lymphocytes. The abnormal activation of BCR signaling
is closely related to transformation and development of B-cell
lymphoma. Data from a recent pre-clinical study investigating the
in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activities of HMPL-523 was
presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of
Hematology held in San Diego, CA on December 5, 2016. The
presentation is available at
www.chi-med.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/pre161206_523ash.pdf.
Additional details about this study may be found at
clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02857998.
Clinical development in immunology
HMPL-523 is also being studied in immunological indications.
Clinical data for HMPL-523 in a Phase I dose-escalating study in
healthy volunteers in Australia was recently presented at the 2016
annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association
of Rheumatology Health Professionals, which was held in November
2016. The detailed poster presentation can be viewed at
www.chi-med.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/pre1611141.png. The
Company plans to initiate proof-of-concept clinical trials in the
United States in 2017.
About B-cell signaling
The BCR signaling pathway regulates proliferation,
differentiation and survival of B lymphocytes, a major cellular
component of the immune system. The abnormal activation of BCR
signaling is closely related to transformation and development of
hematological cancers (i.e. B-cell malignancies), including
lymphoma and leukemia, as well as autoimmune diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis. Targeted BCR signaling therapies, including
monoclonal antibodies and small molecules, have been proven to be
clinically effective for the treatment of B-cell malignancies,
leading to scientific and commercial success.
Syk is a key protein involved in the BCR signaling pathway.
About Chi-Med
Chi-Med is an innovative biopharmaceutical company which
researches, develops, manufactures and sells pharmaceuticals and
healthcare products. Its Innovation Platform, Hutchison MediPharma
Limited, focuses on discovering and developing innovative
therapeutics in oncology and autoimmune diseases for the global
market. Its Commercial Platform manufactures, markets, and
distributes prescription drugs and consumer health products in
China.
Chi-Med is majority owned by the multinational conglomerate CK
Hutchison Holdings Limited (SEHK: 0001). For more information,
please visit: www.chi-med.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements reflect Chi-Med's current expectations regarding future
events, including its expectations for the clinical development of
HMPL-523, plans to initiate clinical studies for HMPL-523
(including proof-of-concept trials in the United States), its
expectations as to whether such studies would meet their primary or
secondary endpoints, and its expectations as to the timing of the
completion and the release of results from such studies.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Such
risks and uncertainties include, among other things, assumptions
regarding enrollment rates, timing and availability of subjects
meeting a study's inclusion and exclusion criteria, changes to
clinical protocols or regulatory requirements, unexpected adverse
events or safety issues, the ability of drug candidate HMPL-523 to
meet the primary or secondary endpoint of a study, to obtain
regulatory approval in different jurisdictions, to gain commercial
acceptance after obtaining regulatory approval, the potential
market of HMPL-523 for a targeted indication and the sufficiency of
funding. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date hereof. For further discussion of these
and other risks, see Chi-Med's filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission and on AIM. Chi-Med undertakes no obligation to
update or revise the information contained in this press release,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
circumstances or otherwise.
Contacts
Investor Enquiries
Christian Hogg, CEO +852 2121 8200
International Media Enquiries
Anthony Carlisle, +44 7973 611 888 (Mobile) anthony.carlisle@cdrconsultancy.co.uk
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
U.S. Based Media Enquiries
Brad Miles, BMC Communications +1 (917) 570 7340 (Mobile) bmiles@bmccommunications.com
Susan Duffy, BMC Communications +1 (917) 499 8887 (Mobile) sduffy@bmccommunications.com
Investor Relations
Matt Beck, The Trout Group +1 (917) 415 1750 (Mobile) mbeck@troutgroup.com
David Dible, +44 7967 566 919 (Mobile) david.dible@citigatedr.co.uk
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
Richard Gray / Andrew Potts +44 (20) 7886 2500
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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