BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athenex (Nasdaq:ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the
discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, today announced
that the Phase II clinical study data for KX2-391 for the treatment of actinic keratosis was presented by Dr. Seth Forman of
Forward Clinical Trials, Tampa, at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting on February 17, 2018 in San Diego, California
(abstract ID 6134).
Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition that is induced through ultra-violet light damage, resulting in patches of thick,
scaly or crusty skin. Left untreated, the lesions have risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma and consequently treatment by
a dermatologist is recommended. Actinic keratosis is the most common pre-cancerous condition in dermatology and affects more than
55 million Americans. Actinic keratosis constitutes between 14-29% of dermatologist visits in the USA1.
KX2-391, also known as KX-01, is a first-in-class dual Src kinase and tubulin polymerization inhibitor being developed as a
topical medicinal product for the treatment of actinic keratosis.
This Phase II clinical study aims to determine the activity, safety and pharmacokinetics of KX2-391 ointment 1% (5 days or 3
days) in adults with actinic keratosis on the face or scalp. This is an open-label, multicenter study conducted in adults who had
4-8 actinic keratosis lesions within a 25 cm2 area on the face or scalp. A cohort of subjects was given once daily
application for 5 days and was assessed through Day 57 for actinic keratosis lesion counts, local skin reactions (LSRs), and
adverse events (AEs). LSRs were scored on a scale of 0 to 4 (worst). A second cohort of 3-day treatment was enrolled after the
5-day treatment regimen demonstrated activity and safety.
A total of 168 patients were recruited (84 for each cohort) from 16 US clinical sites. Subjects were mostly white males, with a
mean age of 68 years, skin type I to III and median baseline number of actinic keratosis lesions of 6 for the 5-day treatment
cohort and 5 for the 3-day treatment cohort. The 5-day treatment cohort achieved a higher overall 100 percent clearance of actinic
keratosis lesions at Day-57 (i.e. 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment) than the 3-day treatment cohort (43% vs. 32%). In the
5-day treatment cohort, 23 of 44 subjects (52%) with actinic keratosis on face and 13 of 40 (33%) on scalp attained 100 percent
clearance at Day-57. LSRs were mild and mostly erythema, flaking/scaling, crusting and swelling with the majority of the LSRs
scores of <2 and resolved rapidly. Only one subject scored 4 in erythema and flaking/scaling, which both
resolved rapidly without concomitant medications. Erosions/ulcers and vesicles/pustules were observed in only 15% and 5% of
subjects, respectively. No subjects scored ≥3 in erosions/ulcers/vesicles/pustules. Treatment related AEs were few and
predominately mild transient application site pruritus, tenderness and pain. There were no treatment related serious AEs or
discontinuations. Plasma levels of KX2-391 were low to undetectable.
Dr. Seth Forman, the presenting investigator for the Phase II study, commented, “This study demonstrated that KX2-391 ointment
1% is well tolerated and active as a field treatment of actinic keratosis of the face and the scalp with LSRs that are mostly mild
and transient. KX2-391 ointment 1% daily for 5 consecutive days is currently being investigated in two Phase III placebo-controlled
trials.”
Dr. Rudolf Kwan, Athenex’s Chief Medical Officer, commented, “We are excited to see the excellent efficacy and safety profile of
KX2-391 ointment 1% for the treatment of actinic keratosis. KX01 treatment may have the potential to change the paradigm of topical
therapy for actinic keratosis.”
Athenex and the FDA previously had an end of Phase II meeting regarding the program for the design of the Phase III studies. Two
placebo-controlled Phase III studies, with a total target of 600 patients (300 patients for each study) were initiated on September
25, 2017 and the enrollment was completed rapidly ahead of an aggressive schedule. Athenex expects topline data of the Phase III
studies to be available in the third quarter of 2018.
As previously announced on December 11, 2017, Athenex and Almirall, a leading skin-health focused global pharmaceutical company
and one of the leaders in the field of actinic keratosis treatment, entered into a license agreement in which Athenex granted
Almirall an exclusive license under the Athenex Intellectual Property to research, develop and commercialize KX2-391 in the United
States of America and European countries, including Russia. Athenex will receive an upfront fee and near-term payments of up to USD
$55 million, and additional indications milestones payment and a royalty payment starting at 15% based on annual net sales, with
incremental increases in royalty rates with increased sales. Athenex retains certain co-promotion rights in the USA and retains the
rights for other parts of the world including Canada, Central and South America, Japan, Asia and China, Australia and New Zealand,
and Africa including South Africa. Almirall will employ its expertise to support the development in Europe and also to
commercialize the product in the defined territories. Milestones were established to encourage the joint effort of Athenex and
Almirall to develop additional indications and additional formulations.
Mr. Peter Guenter, Chief Executive Officer of Almirall, stated, “As one of the leaders of the medical treatment of actinic
keratosis, we were excited by the potential profile of KX2-391, as demonstrated in this Phase II clinical study. We are also
impressed by the Athenex team’s capabilities in drug development execution. We are pleased that the Athenex team has already
completed the enrollment of the two Phase III studies of 600 patients in the USA. We are fully committed to this collaboration and
will assist in the European development and registration strategy. We believe that KX2-391 has the potential to change the standard
of care for actinic keratosis and look forward to combining our leadership abilities in the field with the drug development
expertise of Athenex.”
References
- E. Stockfleth et al. Physician perceptions and experience of current treatment in actinic keratosis. JEADV 2015,
29, 298–306
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 and
human absorption biology, as well as 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 Orascovery platform was
developed by Hanmi Pharmaceuticals and licensed exclusively to Athenex for all major worldwide territories
except Korea, which is retained by Hanmi. 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.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer/Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are
forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking
statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the development stage of our primary
clinical candidates and related risks involved in drug development, clinical trials, regulation, manufacturing and
commercialization; our reliance on third parties, including Almirall for success in certain areas of Athenex’s business;
need to raise additional capital; competition; intellectual property risks; risks relating to doing business in China; and the
other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings, copies of which are available for free in the Investor
Relations section of our website at http://ir.athenex.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=254495&p=irol-sec or upon request from our
Investor Relations Department. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as
required by law.
CONTACT:
Jim Polson
Tel: +1-716-427-2952
Athenex, Inc.
