SHANGHAI & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZAI Lab Limited and Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Hanmi)(KRX: 128940) announced today that they have executed a collaboration and license agreement under which ZAI Lab will acquire exclusive rights in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) to develop, manufacture and commercialize HM61713, a novel, third-generation EGFR targeted therapy for the treatment of EGFR mutation positive lung cancer.
HM61713 is a novel, third-generation, irreversible EGFR mutant-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed to specifically target tumors with T790M mutations. At the ASCO Annual Meeting 2015, interim results of the Phase I/II clinical trial were presented and showed strong efficacy signals, combined with a favorable safety profile. In July this year, Hanmi and Boehringer Ingelheim entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement for the development and global commercialization rights, except South Korea, China and Hong Kong, of HM61713 (BI1482694).
"We are delighted to partner with Hanmi, a leader in novel drug R&D in Asia and globally," said Samantha Du, Chairman and CEO of ZAI Lab. "NSCLC is a huge unmet need in China with the world's largest patient population. Our collaboration with Hanmi is aimed at bringing this late stage and potentially revolutionary drug quickly to the Chinese patients. We also look forward to building and continuing our strategic collaboration with Hanmi."
The agreement with ZAI Lab reflects the fact that the population of NSCLC patients in China which HM61713 targets, takes more than a half of total NSCLC patients in the world. According to the Global Data, 46% of the total NSCLC patients in the world this year is in China and by 2020, the Chinese patient population would rapidly increase up to 62% of the total.
Dr. Gwan Sun Lee, CEO of Hanmi said, "Through our collaboration with ZAI Lab with well-built, experienced R&D capability, the possibility to develop HM61713 as a first-in-class drug in China is now open. We look forward to providing innovative treatment options to Chinese patients suffering from lung cancer."
About Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is a Korea-based global pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new pharmaceutical products. The Company is fully integrated from R&D through manufacturing, marketing and sales with an established presence in Korea as well as China. The Company invests over 20 percent of its sales in R&D and has over 20 programs in clinical development in three main areas: 1) novel long-acting biologics based on the Company's LAPSCOVERY™ platform including weekly insulin, weekly to monthly GLP-1, and their combinations (Quantum Project) in diabetes and obesity; 2) novel targeted agents against cancer and autoimmune disorders; and 3) fixed-dose combination programs. More information on Hanmi is available at www.hanmipharm.com
About ZAI Lab
ZAI Lab is a leading biopharmaceutical company based in China focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative medicines for unmet medical needs globally. The company is building a strong portfolio of therapeutic programs aimed at transforming patients' lives. ZAI Lab has a world class leadership team with deep experience at global pharmaceutical and biotech organizations. The team has a strong track record of success – successfully taken five novel drug candidates into clinical trials in China, pioneered new regulatory channels, secured regulatory approvals in record times, conducted multiple IND trials in the US, and brought the first China discovered drug into Global Phase III trials. ZAI Lab is committed to build a globally leading drug research and development powerhouse with a culture of excellence and teamwork and a strong focus on fostering innovation and creativity. For more information, please visit www.zailaboratory.com