Anti-Cancer Clinical Data Presented at ASCO

RNS Number : 7290E

Hutchison China Meditech Limited

06 June 2012

 



Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med")
(AIM: HCM)

Hutchison MediPharma Limited Announces Presentations of Sulfatinib and Fruquintinib Clinical Data at the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting

London: Wednesday, 6 June 2012: Hutchison MediPharma Limited ("HMP"), an R&D company majority owned by Chi-Med, today announces that Phase I clinical data for Sulfatinib (HMPL-012) and Fruquintinib (HMPL-013), two of the novel small molecule targeted anti-cancer drugs of HMP, was presented at the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology ("ASCO") Annual Meeting held in Chicago, Illinois, USA on Monday, 4 June 2012.  

ASCO is a non-profit organisation founded in 1964 with the goals of improving cancer care and prevention.  Nearly 30,000 oncology practitioners belong to ASCO, representing all oncology disciplines and subspecialties.  Members include physicians and health-care professionals in all levels of the practice of oncology.  The ASCO Annual Meeting brings these people together to find cutting-edge scientific presentations and comprehensive educational content.

The Sulfatinib Phase I study enrolled and treated 43 patients with the drug given once or twice daily.  Sulfatinib was well tolerated at doses up to 300mg per day or 150mg twice daily and demonstrated preliminary anti-tumour activity in multiple cancer types, including liver cancer.  To date the Fruquintinib Phase I study had enrolled and treated 29 patients in 6 different dose cohorts.  Fruquintinib was well tolerated at doses up to 4mg once daily and demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetic properties.  Encouraging clinical activity including partial response was observed in colorectal, lung and gastric cancer. Fruquintinib 4mg once daily was determined as the recommended Phase II dose and appeared to be both safe and effective, we believe that further clinical development of such regimen is warranted.

The two clinical data posters were presented during the "Developmental Therapeutics - Experimental Therapeutics" general poster session on Monday, 4 June 2012.  Further information about the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting and the abstracts is available at http://chicago2012.asco.org. 

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Enquiries

Chi-Med Christian Hogg, CEO	Telephone:      [phone]
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Anthony Carlisle David Dible	Telephone:      [phone] Mobile:             [phone] Mobile:             [phone]
Lazard & Co., Limited Paul Gismondi Nick Fowler	Telephone:      [phone]

Notes to Editors

About VEGF/VEGFR Inhibitors

At an advanced stage, tumours secrete large amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor ("VEGF"), a protein, to stimulate formation of excessive vasculature (angiogenesis) around the tumour in order to provide greater blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to the tumour.  Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR") inhibitors stop the growth of veins around the tumour and thereby starve the tumour of the nutrients it needs to grow rapidly. 

About Sulfatinib and Fruquintinib

Sulfatinib (HMPL-012) is a novel small molecule that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated with VEGFR and fibroblast growth factor receptors ("FGFR").  Pre-clinical data shows that Sulfatinib has demonstrated a narrow kinase inhibition profile, affecting mainly VEGFR and FGFR1, and consequently has an attractive anti-tumour profile.  This compound is a potent suppressor of angiogenesis and exhibits higher potency as compared to approved VEGF drugs.  It targets major cancer types such as hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. 

Fruquintinib (HMPL-013) is a novel small molecule compound that is highly selective in inhibiting certain VEGF receptors, namely VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3, and consequently has an attractive anti-tumour profile.  Fruquintinib has shown highly potent inhibitory effects on multiple human tumour xenografts, including some refractory tumours such as pancreatic cancer and melanoma and anti-tumour and anti-angiogenic effect compares favourably to approved VEGF drugs.

About HMP

HMP is a novel drug R&D company focusing on discovering, developing and commercialising innovative therapeutics in oncology and autoimmune diseases.  With a team of around 200 scientists and staff, its pipeline is comprised of novel oral compounds for cancer and inflammation in development in North America, Europe, Australia and Greater China.

HMP is majority owned by Chi-Med.

About Chi-Med

Chi-Med is the holding company of a healthcare group based primarily in China and was listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in May 2006.  It is focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and selling pharmaceuticals and health oriented consumer products.

Chi-Med is majority owned by Hutchison Whampoa Limited, an international company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

 

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