Hanmi and ZAI Lab execute a license agreement to develop novel EGFR targeted therapy for lung cancer in China.

On November 23, 2015 Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and ZAI Lab Limited reported that they have executed a collaboration and license agreement under which ZAI Lab will acquire exclusive rights in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) to develop, manufacture and commercialize HM61713, a novel, third-generation EGFR targeted therapy for the treatment of EGFR mutation positive lung cancer.

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HM61713 is a novel, third-generation, irreversible EGFR mutant-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed to specifically target tumors with T790M mutations. At the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2015, interim results of the Phase I/II clinical trial were presented and showed strong efficacy signals, combined with a favorable safety profile. In July this year, Hanmi and Boehringer Ingelheim entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement for the development and global commercialization rights, except South Korea, China and Hong Kong, of HM61713 (BI1482694).

"We are delighted to partner with Hanmi, a leader in novel drug R&D in Asia and globally," said Samantha Du, Chairman and CEO of ZAI Lab, "NSCLC is a huge unmet need in China with the world’s largest patient population. Our collaboration with Hanmi is aimed at bringing this late stage and potentially revolutionary drug quickly to the Chinese patients. We also look forward to building and continuing our strategic collaboration with Hanmi."

The agreement with ZAI Lab reflects the fact that the population of NSCLC patient in China which HM61713 targets, takes more than a half of total NSCLC patient in the world. According to the Global Data, 46% of the total NSCLC patient in the world this year is in China and by 2020, the Chinese patient population would rapidly increase up to 62% of the total.

Dr. Gwan Sun Lee, CEO of Hanmi said, "Through our collaboration with ZAI Lab with well-built, experienced R&D capability, the possibility to develop HM61713 as a first-in-class drug in China is now open. We look forward to providing innovative treatment options to Chinese patients suffering from lung cancer."