AsianScientist (Sep. 23, 2013) – French pharmaceutical company Servier and the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences are set to collaborate on the development of lucitanib, a targeted antitumor drug candidate with anti-angiogenic effects, in China.
Lucitanib (International Non-proprietary Name) is a kinase inhibitor which targets the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-2 (FGFR1-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1-3 (VEGFR-1-3). This unique activity profile confers on lucitanib specific anti-tumor activity in FGFR1-2 dependent tumors and a strong anti-angiogenic effect.
Results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology 2012 Congress on the breast cancer cohort of a Phase I study put lucitanib firmly on the list of the most promising breakthroughs in oncology. In September of the same year, Servier acquired the worldwide rights for lucitanib except for the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the United States.
Servier will now extend its rights to China in sealing a collaboration and license agreement with SIMM and other stake holders in China, notably ADVENCHEN and SFFT.
The aim of the present agreement between SIMM and Servier is to provide evidence of the clinical benefits of lucitanib in specific Chinese indications through national clinical studies involving Haihe Pharmaceuticals, a local pharmaceutical company established by SIMM.
In addition, SIMM will conduct specific research in biomarkers and support Servier regarding the participation of China in international clinical studies. Under the terms of this agreement, SIMM and Servier will be co-owners of the marketing authorizations for the People’s Republic of China.
Pr DING Jian, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of SIMM and one of the inventors of lucitanib in China, said: “This project is the first clinical candidate through SIMM-Servier long-term collaboration and we expect to deliver more and more fruitful results in our on-going collaboration projects.”
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Source: Servier.
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