BUFFALO, N.Y., July 26, 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 both Phase 3 studies, KX-AK-003 and KX-AK-004, had achieved their primary endpoint of 100%
clearance of actinic keratosis (AK) lesions at Day 57 within the face or scalp treatment areas, with each study achieving
statistical significance (p<0.0001). Statistical significance (p<0.001) was achieved for both face and scalp subgroups
as well.
These two double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled, studies were designed as pivotal Phase 3 efficacy and safety studies to
support the registration of KX2-391 (or KX-01) as field therapy for AK of the face and scalp2,3. The studies, each
conducted at 31 centers in the USA, enrolled a total of 702 subjects. KX2-391, or vehicle ointment, was applied once daily
for 5 days. In addition to the clinical activity of KX2-391, the local skin reaction (LSR) profile was within expectations,
in line with the Phase 2 study reported in the annual American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in February 2018 in San
Diego.
Following an End of Phase 2 meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), these two parallel Phase 3
pivotal studies were initiated in September 2017. In February 2018, Athenex announced that the recruitment had been completed ahead
of schedule. Both studies are still on-going to complete the one-year follow-up of the patients who had complete responses. Athenex
will be submitting a request to the US FDA for a pre-NDA submission meeting to discuss the data and regulatory submission
timelines. The Company plans to submit the topline and other related data from the Phase 3 studies for presentation at an upcoming
scientific meeting.
Dr. Rudolf Kwan, Athenex’s Chief Medical Officer, said, “These two pivotal studies confirmed 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. The rapid recruitment of patients into the two Phase 3 studies underscores the enthusiasm of the clinical investigators
in the potential of this novel medical treatment. The clinical studies results have been consistent between Phase 2 and the two
Phase 3 studies, highlighting the consistency of this treatment in patients with actinic keratosis. We believe KX2-391 has the
potential to change the paradigm of topical therapy for Actinic Keratosis.”
Dr. Johnson Lau, Athenex’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Athenex would like to thank the
preclinical team, the clinical team and the product development team for their significant contributions in driving the preclinical
and clinical development. Athenex would also like to specifically thank the clinical investigators, who recruited patients at a
rate that exceeded our expectations and contributed significantly to the advancement of the medical treatment of actinic keratosis,
a condition which is considered to be pre-malignant. Athenex is currently conducting all the necessary studies and work to complete
the follow up and prepare the regulatory filing. We are also working closely with our partner, Almirall, to develop the European
registration plan. Athenex is also actively planning for the development of KX2-391 in other geographic areas.”
KX2-391, also known as KX-01, is a first-in-class dual Src kinase and tubulin polymerization inhibitor being developed by
Athenex as a topical medicinal product (1% ointment) for the treatment of actinic keratosis in adult patients.
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, and account for between 14-29% of dermatologist visits in the USA1.
A Phase 2 clinical study (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) was conducted in 16 US clinical sites comparing a 5 days vs. 3 days treatment (84 for
each cohort) and was reported in the AAD meeting earlier this year. The 5-day treatment cohort achieved a higher overall 100%
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% 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.
As previously announced on December 11, 2017, Athenex, Inc., and Almirall, S.A., 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. Pursuant to the license agreement, there are 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 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 to see the successful results in both parallel Phase 3 studies. We were impressed by the Athenex team’s
capabilities in drug development execution. The rapid recruitment in these two parallel clinical studies and the ahead of schedule
analysis underscore the leadership of the clinical research team and the senior management of Athenex. We are fully committed to
this collaboration and will be helping to lead the European development and registration strategy. KX2-391 has the potential to
change the standard of care for Actinic Keratosis and we look forward to combining our leadership abilities in the field with the
drug development expertise of Athenex to advance patient care.”
Athenex is also running another ongoing Phase 3 study on the use of Oraxol (an oral form of paclitaxel with a P-glycoprotein for
enhancing oral absorption with preliminary data showing potentially better efficacy and safety profile compared to intravenous
paclitaxel) and the second interim analysis results will be presented to the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in late third
quarter 2018.
References
- E. Stockfleth et al. Physician perceptions and experience of current treatment in actinic keratosis. JEADV 2015, 29, 298–306
- AK-003 A Phase 3, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel Group, Multicenter, Efficacy and Safety Study of
KX2-391 Ointment 1% in Adult Subjects With Actinic Keratosis on the Face or Scalp. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number):
NCT03285477. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03285477
- AK-004. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03285490?recrs=d&cond=actinic+keratosis&rank=10
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 four different platform technologies: (1) Orascovery based on non-absorbed P-glycoprotein
inhibitor, (2) Src Kinase Inhibition, (3) T-cell receptor-engineered T-cells (TCR-T), and (4) metabolic manipulation of cancer. The
Orascovery platform is based on the novel oral P-glycoprotein pump inhibitor molecule HM30181A, which 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. The TCR-T platform is a cancer immunotherapy platform originally
developed by Xiangxue Life Sciences and together with Athenex, established a Joint Venture that owns the global rights apart from
China and led by Athenex. The metabolic manipulation of cancer was through depletion of circulating arginine, an amino acid that
can be made by normal cells but not by a significant proportion of cancer through interruption of their urea cycle, a pathway
essential for the synthesis of arginine, and thereby starving the cancer cells with interrupted urea cycle. 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.
About Almirall
Almirall is a leading skin-health focused global pharmaceutical company that partners with healthcare professionals, applying
Science to provide medical solutions to patients & future generations. Our efforts are focused on fighting against skin health
diseases and helping people feel and look their best. We support healthcare professionals in its continuous improvement, bringing
our innovative solutions where they are needed.
The company, founded 75 years ago and with headquarters in Barcelona, is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM).
Almirall has become a key element of value creation to society according to its commitment with its major shareholders and its
decision to help others, to understand their challenges and to use Science to provide them with solutions for real life. Total
revenues in 2017 were 755.8 million euros. It has more than 1,830 employees.
For more information, please visit almirall.com.
CONTACTS:
Athenex Contacts
Investor Relations:
Tim McCarthy
Managing Director, LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Tel: +1 212-915-2564
Athenex, Inc.:
Randoll Sze
Email: randollsze@athenex.com
Jacqueline Li
Email: jacquelineli@athenex.com
Almirall Contacts
Media contact:
Cohn&Wolfe
Marta Gállego
marta.gallego@cohnwolfe.com
Tel.: (+34) 915 31 42 67
Investors & Corporate Communications
Almirall
Pablo Divasson del Fraile
pablo.divasson@almirall.com
Tel.: +(34) 93 291 30 87
