- Collaboration with Xiangxue Pharmaceutical Expands Portfolio in to TCR-T Immunotherapy
- In-Licensing of a Biologic Product from Avalon BioMedical Management
BUFFALO, N.Y., July 02, 2018 (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 and related
conditions, today announced that it has entered into the following agreements:
- Establishment of a joint venture with Xiangxue Life Sciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guangzhou Xiangxue Pharmaceutical
Co., Ltd. (Xiangxue Pharmaceutical), for the research, development and commercialization of T-cell receptor-engineered T cells
(TCR-T), a cancer immunotherapy technology, based on the novel approach on high-affinity TCR developed by Xiangxue Life
Sciences;
- In-licensing of worldwide rights to a pegylated genetically modified human arginase from Avalon PolyTom (HK) Limited
(PolyTom), a subsidiary of Avalon Biomedical Management Limited; and
- A strategic investment of US$100 million from Perceptive Advisors, an institution dedicated to supporting the most promising
technologies in healthcare.
Expansion into TCR-T Immunotherapy
Xiangxue Life Sciences is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xiangxue Pharmaceutical, a long term partner of
Athenex for the development of KX-02 for glioblastoma multiforme in China. Xiangxue Life Sciences is a Chinese biopharmaceutical
company focused on TCR-based therapies for cancer and has developed a new generation TCR-T, named HATac, which consists of the
expression of high binding affinity soluble T-cell receptors on the engineered T-cells to target HLA-antigenic peptide complex on
certain types of cancer cells. Early clinical studies in China demonstrated a good safety profile in patients.
Axis Therapeutics Limited, a new joint venture to be established and owned initially as 55% by Athenex and 45%
by Xiangxue Life Sciences, has in-licensed the worldwide (excluding mainland China) rights of all the intellectual properties
and know-how of the TCR-T immunotherapy technology from Xiangxue Life Sciences, subject to certain closing conditions and
approvals. Pursuant to the terms of the license agreement and shareholders agreement, Athenex will issue US$5 million worth
of Athenex common stock to Xiangxue Life Sciences as an upfront payment and Athenex will contribute US$30 million in cash to the
joint venture. Axis Therapeutics will also pay various clinical and regulatory milestones of up to US$110 million to
Xiangxue Life Sciences. Xiangxue Life Sciences will retain the mainland China rights to the technology and there will be royalties
on net income payable to Axis Therapeutics upon successful commercialization in mainland China. Additional new TCR-T technologies
developed by Axis will also be partnered with Xiangxue Pharmaceutical in the future for the mainland China rights.
Expansion into Biologics for Oncology
Athenex has strategically in-licensed a pegylated genetically modified human arginase, or Pegtomarginase, which
was initially developed by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and subsequently licensed to PolyTom. Through extensive research, a
single isomer of pegylated genetically modified human arginase with a favorable pharmacokinetic and potency profile was identified
and preclinical work demonstrated that the molecule represents a promising clinical candidate. The anti-cancer mechanism of this
biologic product lies in that some cancers do not express either ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) and/or argininosuccinate
synthetase (ASS), two enzymes critical for the synthesis of arginine in the urea cycle pathway. As cancer cells will not be able to
synthesize arginine, they will have to depend on external supply of arginine for tumor survival and growth. This treatment
approach shows specificity as the depletion of circulating arginine will starve such OTC-/ASS- deficient cancer cells, while normal
cells can synthesize arginine intracellularly through urea cycle for their survival.
Strategic Investment by Perceptive Advisors
Perceptive Advisors, an investment manager with a deep history in supporting biotechnology companies, will
provide a combination of equity and debt financing to support Athenex's operations and continued development, including pipeline
expansion initiatives. Perceptive Advisors will invest US$100 million in Athenex, comprised of US$50 million in equity and US$50
million in debt.
Dr. Johnson Lau, Chairman and CEO of Athenex, commented, "Given our confidence in our two Phase III programs in
Oraxol for metastatic breast cancer and KX-01 ointment for actinic keratosis, we are delighted to have this opportunity to further
expand our product pipeline. The additions of TCR-T based cancer immunotherapy in collaboration with our long term business
partner, Xiangxue Pharmaceutical and its subsidiary Xiangxue Life Sciences, and of an anti-cancer biologic will further
complement and enhance our Oncology Innovation Platform. We are particularly excited about the potential synergies that can be
created between the new therapies and our existing pipeline. We have developed a business strategy to fully explore the potential
of all these platforms. We are also grateful to have Perceptive Advisors as our financial partner."
Mr. YongHui Wang, CEO of Xiangxue Life Sciences and Chairman and CEO of Xiangxue Pharmaceutical, said, "Athenex
has been an excellent partner of ours, as evidenced by our successful KX-02 collaboration in China. We have witnessed the
tremendous growth of Athenex and their effective execution in research and development as well as business expansion. We are a
strong believer in the Athenex team and are delighted to form this new Joint Venture with Athenex to take the leadership in
exploring a new and promising immunotherapy technology in the global scene. HATac is a breakthrough technology. The combination of
this technology in conjunction with the Athenex pipeline and the business plan of Axis Therapeutics holds great promise for the
treatment of solid tumors."
Mr. Joseph Edelman, CEO and Portfolio Manager, Perceptive Advisors, added “TCR-engineered cellular therapy
represents a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of solid tumors by working with a patient’s own immune system to target
specific cancer peptides in the context of presentation by the patient’s HLAs. We are also excited about the metabolic
treatment of cancer through the depletion of arginine, which could enable novel future therapies by selectively killing cancer
cells through starvation. These two new additions, coupled with the exciting existing clinical pipeline provide an opportunity for
synergy creation across Athenex’s business. We are excited to have this strong oncology product pipeline in the hands of
a proven management team that has consistently demonstrated an ability to deliver in both clinical studies and commercialization
execution. We look forward to continuing our support for their initiatives going forward."
Mr. Sam Chawla, Portfolio Manager, Perceptive Advisors, stated, "We are impressed by Athenex’s robust
clinical stage product pipeline and its unique business model. The management team has continually demonstrated strong execution
capabilities, as evidenced by the clinical development timelines for its two lead Phase III assets and the rapid build-out of its
commercial platform to support the future launch of Athenex’s proprietary products. Athenex has also been successful in securing
non-dilutive government funding in the U.S. and Asia to build manufacturing facilities. We are excited to have the opportunity
to partner with Athenex to enable the continued growth and expansion strategies of the Company."
As an oncology focused biopharmaceutical company, Athenex has a pipeline of seven clinical stage products, two
of which are in Phase III clinical studies. Oraxol, a novel oral formulation of paclitaxel combined with a novel oral
non-absorbable P-glycoprotein inhibitor, has completed the recruitment of 180 patients for the second interim analysis to be
conducted in the third quarter of 2018 of a Phase III clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer. KX-01 ointment for the treatment
of actinic keratosis has already completed recruitment for two Phase III clinical studies.
Laidlaw & Company (UK) LTD served as the sole placement agent to Athenex in relation to the strategic investment
by Perceptive Advisors.
Conference Call and Webcast Information:
The Company will host a conference call to discuss the transaction today, July 2, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. eastern
time. To participate in the call, dial (855) 227-0567 (domestic) or (612) 979-9912 (international) fifteen minutes before the
conference call begins and reference the conference passcode 9794249. A replay will be available approximately one hour after the
recording through Monday, July 9, 2018 and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056. The live conference call and replay can also
be accessed via audio webcast at the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, located at www.athenex.com. An archive will be available at this website until August 2, 2018.
About Athenex, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a global clinical stage bioharmaceutical 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. For more information about Athenex, visit www.athenex.com
About Guangzhou Xiangxue Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (XPH)
Founded in 1997 and is located in Guangzhou Science City, Guangzhou Economic & Technical Development District
(GETDD), which is part of the core area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, or the Greater Bay Area. XPH is a high-tech enterprise
integrating manufacturing, operation and R&D of products including pharmaceuticals, biological medicine, functional food,
Chinese medicines and medical devices. XPH is recognized as one of pharmaceutical enterprises with most development potential in
the industry in China and was listed in Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2010 (stock code: 300147). XPH has directed its attention to
leading biomedical technologies since 2012. XPH has built an international cooperative innovation system focusing on focused
scientific research led by talent teams to introduce new medical innovative technologies. One important focus is on clinical
immunotherapy development using the cutting-edge technologies involving high affinity specific T-cell receptor (TCR). Xiangxue Life
Sciences (XLifeSc) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xiangxue Pharmaceutical, focused on TCR-based therapies for cancer and has
developed a new generation TCR-T, named TAEST (TCR affinity enhanced specific T-cell-therapy), consisting of the expression of
affinity enhanced T-cell receptors on the engineered T-cells to target HLA-antigenic peptide complex on certain types of cancer
cells. Early clinical studies in China demonstrated a good safety profile in patients. For more information about XPH, visit
www.xphcn.com
About Perceptive Advisors
Founded in 1999 and based in New York, NY, Perceptive Advisors is an investment management firm focused on
supporting the progress of the life sciences industry by identifying opportunities and directing financial resources to the most
promising technologies in healthcare. For more information about Perceptive, visit www.perceptivelife.com
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.
CONTACTS:
Investor Relations:
Tim McCarthy
Managing Director, LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Tel: +1 212-915-2564
Jim Polson
Managing Director, FTI Consulting
Tel: +1 716-427-2952
Athenex, Inc.:
Randoll Sze
Email: randollsze@athenex.com
Jacqueline Li
Email: jacquelineli@athenex.com
