Hutchison Medi Pharma

We entered into a global licensing, co-development, and commercialisation agreement for Volitinib (HMPL-504) with Hutchison Medi Pharma in December 2011. Volitinib is a Phase I, selective c-Met oral small molecule inhibitor. Hutchison Medi Pharma will continue to lead the development in China, with AstraZeneca leading the development, registration and commercialisation of Volitinib for the rest of the world. The two companies will share development costs.

Unmet medical need

Volitinib is a potent and highly selective oral c-Met inhibitor, with best-in-class potential, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumours in a series of pre-clinical disease models. It is especially effective for those tumours with aberrant c-Met signalling such as gene amplification or c-Met over-expression. In addition, c-Met serves as a biomarker, providing the potential to explore patient selection strategies in later stage clinical trials. Therapeutic indications include gastric and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as other cancers with c-Met deregulation.

Strategic Fit

This collaboration supports AstraZeneca’s goal to provide innovative medicines for unmet medical needs for patients in China, which has a particularly high incidence of gastric cancer, as well as globally. AstraZeneca’s support will help ensure optimal development and commercialisation of this novel oncology innovation for the global market.

Programme highlights

The Volitinib programme started with a Phase I clinical trial study in patients with advanced cancer in February 2012. We are developing Volitinib as a single agent treatment as well as a combination therapy. Strong translational research is examining a combination of Volitinib with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor for treating NSCLC that has both EGFR sensitive mutations and c-Met overexpression.

Deal structure

• Global collaboration, co-development and commercialisation
• Upfront payment to HMP of USD$20 million.
• Up to an additional US$120 million payable contingent upon the successful achievement of clinical development and first sale milestones.
• The agreement also contains possible significant future commercial sale milestones to HMP and up to double-digit percentage royalties on net sales.

Why HMP chose AstraZeneca:

• Leading and proven commercial capabilities enabling global development and registration of Volitinib
• Openess and willingness to understand each others needs
• Complementary capabilities and expertise
• Funds from the deal will support the development of other pipeline molecules

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For more than 30 years, AstraZeneca has remained committed to pushing the boundaries of cancer research and delivering the cancer therapies of tomorrow. We’re taking an innovative patient-based approach to treatment, and drawing on partnerships across the globe with academia, governments, scientific organisations and patient groups, as well as other biopharmaceutical companies. Our small and large molecule research focuses on cancer of the breast, prostate, gastrointestinal tract, lung, as well as haematological malignancies, “niche” cancers, novel technologies and biomarkers.

Partnering leadership team