BUFFALO, N.Y., July 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athenex, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to
the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that its global
Phase 1b clinical trial of Oraxol (oral paclitaxel) plus ramucirumab in gastric cancer has commenced with first patient dosed
recently.
“A Phase 2 clinical trial of Oraxol in the second-line treatment of gastric cancer patients showed an encouraging overall median
survival of 10.7 months. The expected overall survival for advanced gastric cancer patients who have failed previous chemotherapy
and do not receive second-line therapy is typically around 4 months,” stated Dr. Rudolf Kwan, Athenex’s Chief Medical Officer.
“Ramucirumab is an FDA-approved antiangiogenic therapy for the second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Successful patient
enrollment to this clinical trial using Oraxol plus ramucirumab in gastric cancer reflects our commitment to developing Oraxol as a
global anti-cancer treatment.”
Mr. Jeffery Yordon, Athenex’s Chief Operating Officer, also commented, “This event underscores our global development plan for
Oraxol, a novel oral formulation of paclitaxel, for the treatment of advanced cancers. A Phase 3 clinical trial of Oraxol in the
treatment of breast cancer patients is also currently ongoing.”
Athenex has licensed the global rights (outside of Korea) for the Orascovery program which uses the novel P-gp inhibitor
HM30181A initially developed by Hanmi Pharmaceuticals to enable oral administration of Oraxol and other anti-cancer clinical drug
candidates.
PharmaEssentia Corp., licensed the Taiwan rights to Oraxol from Athenex and is a partner in the development of Oraxol in
Taiwan.
Ramucirumab, as a single agent or in combination with paclitaxel, is FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with advanced or
metastatic, gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine-
or platinum-containing chemotherapy. Ramucirumab is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and Company.
About Athenex, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leader in the
discovery and development of next generation drugs for the treatment of cancer. Athenex is organized around three platforms
including an Oncology Innovation Platform, a Commercial Platform and a Global Supply Chain Platform. Athenex’s Oncology Innovation
Platform generates clinical candidates through an extensive understanding of kinases, including novel binding sites, human
absorption biology and through the application of Athenex’s proprietary research and selection processes in the lab. The Company’s
current clinical pipeline is derived from two different platform technologies Athenex calls Orascovery and Src Kinase Inhibition.
The Orascovery platform is based on the novel oral P-glycoprotein pump inhibitor molecule HM30181A, through which Athenex is able
to facilitate oral absorption of traditional cytotoxics, which Athenex believes may offer improved patient tolerability and
efficacy as compared to IV administration of the same cytotoxics. The Src Kinase Inhibition platform refers to novel small molecule
compounds that have multiple mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of the activity of Src Kinase and the inhibition of
tubulin polymerization during cell division. Athenex believes the combination of these mechanisms of action provides a broader
range of anti-cancer activity as compared to either mechanism of action alone. Athenex’s employees worldwide are dedicated to
improving the lives of cancer patients by creating more active and tolerable treatments. Athenex has offices in Buffalo and
Clarence, New York, Cranford, New Jersey, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Hong Kong, Taipei Taiwan, and multiple locations in
Chongqing, China.
CONTACT: Nick Riehle Tel: +1-716-427-2952
