Hutchison China Meditech Limited
20 November 2006
For Immediate Release
Hutchison China MediTech Limited ('Chi-Med') (AIM: HCM)
Chi-Med and Merck KGaA Start Collaboration to Discover Novel Small Molecule
Anti-Cancer Drugs
London: Monday, 20 November 2006: Chi-Med today announces the signing of a
collaboration agreement between its wholly-owned drug R&D subsidiary Hutchison
MediPharma Limited ('Hutchison MediPharma') and Merck KGaA ('Merck') of
Darmstadt, Germany on future joint research efforts focusing on discovering
novel anti-cancer drugs derived from natural products that modulate oncological
pathways. Financial details are not being disclosed.
Mr. Christian Hogg, CEO of Chi-Med, said:
'Over the last four years, we have established a solid R&D organization that has
brought two candidates into US phase II clinical studies in the oncology and
auto-immune areas. We are delighted to partner with Merck to broaden our
research activities in the oncology area. Merck has a good record of achievement
in the development and commercialization of oncology products such as Erbitux.
In addition, we believe this collaboration further validates Chi-Med's drug
discovery capability.'
Chi-Med sees Traditional Chinese Medicine as a major, under-exploited reservoir
for the development of novel drugs for the global pharmaceutical market and for
developing new products for the global health and beauty consumer markets.
Plants, particularly those that have been used as traditional medicines, have a
long-established record of efficacy and safety.
Dr. Samantha Du, Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President of
Chi-Med, commented:
'The goal of this collaboration is to leverage the expertise of both Merck and
Chi-Med in oncology research. This collaboration will allow us to address
important unmet medical needs by accessing natural products, a rich source of
diversified chemical components with drug-like properties.'
Dr. Ulrich Betz, Preclinical R&D, Head of Strategic Innovation and Research
Portfolio Management for Merck, said:
'We are delighted to complement and enrich our oncology research with this
collaboration. It will also allow us to extend our interaction with the emerging
Chinese pharmaceutical industry that builds on the long-standing tradition and
knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with modern scientific
technology. We are looking forward to a productive collaboration with Chi-Med.'
Ends
Enquiries
Chi-Med Telephone: +852 2121 8200
Christian Hogg, CEO
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7638 9571
Anthony Carlisle +44 (0) 7973 611 888
Chris Gardner +44 (0) 7903 737 649
Yvonne Alexander +44 (0) 7866 610 682
Notes to Editors
Chi-Med is the holding company of a pharmaceutical and healthcare group based
primarily in China and was admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment
Market of the London Stock Exchange in May 2006. Chi-Med is focused on
researching, developing, manufacturing, and selling pharmaceuticals, health
supplements and other consumer health and personal care products derived from
Traditional Chinese Medicine and botanical ingredients. Its overall aim is to
draw on the untapped wealth of knowledge and history of usage in the Traditional
Chinese Medicine industry to develop products for the global market. The Company
has three complementary businesses: drug R&D, China healthcare and consumer
products.
Hutchison MediPharma is Chi-Med's wholly-owned drug research and development
company and has a team of around 100 scientists and staff focusing on botanical
drugs, semi-synthetic natural product drugs, and synthetic single chemical
entity drugs. It currently has two candidates in clinical development in both
the US and China. HMPL-002, a radiosensitiser for head and neck and non-small
cell lung cancer ('NSCLC'), is in Phase I/II in the US and in proof of concept
in China. HMPL-004, an inhibitor to a group of inflammatory cytokines, for
treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases ('IBD'), including Crohn's Disease
('CD') and Ulcerative Colitis ('UC'), is in Phase II in the US and in proof of
concept in China. Hutchison MediPharma also has a pipeline of single molecular
entity discovery projects in the auto-immune/inflammatory diseases and oncology
therapeutic areas which have shown activity against clinically validated
targets.
Chi-Med is majority owned by Hutchison Whampoa Limited, an international
corporation listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
About Merck KGaA
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of € 5.9
billion in 2005, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 30,158
employees in 56 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from
entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella
of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds a 73% interest and free
shareholders own the remaining 27%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was
expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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