ChemGenex, Hospira, Announce Agreement to License, Develop and Commercialize Leukemia Drug in Europe
December 13 2009 - 6:59PM
Business Wire
ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:CXS) and Hospira, Inc.
(NYSE:HSP) announced today that they have entered into an exclusive
agreement to license, develop and commercialize ChemGenex’s product
candidate omacetaxine mepesuccinate, a novel targeted cytotoxic
pharmaceutical product, in Europe, the Middle East and parts of
Africa (the Territory). Applications for marketing approval of the
product have been accepted for regulatory review in both the United
States and Europe for treatment of patients with chronic myeloid
leukemia (CML) who have failed to respond to the current standard
of care treatment, imatinib mesylate, and who have the Bcr-Abl
T315I mutation.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hospira will make an initial
payment of €11.1 million (A$ 17.8 million), with the potential for
up to an additional €74.1 million (A$ 119.4 million), in
performance milestone payments based on the successful development
and commercialization of omacetaxine. In addition, following
successful commercialization, Hospira will pay ChemGenex a royalty
on product sales in the Territory.
ChemGenex will complete registration of omacetaxine in its
initial indication with the European Medicines Agency (“EMEA”),
while Hospira and ChemGenex will collaborate to explore future
applications in a variety of hematological malignancies. Hospira
will have responsibility for commercializing omacetaxine in the
Territory.
"We are very excited by the promise omacetaxine holds to improve
outcomes for seriously ill patients who have stopped responding to
other treatments available for their condition," said Michael
Kotsanis, President Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hospira, Inc.
"This agreement is a further step in Hospira's strategy to build
upon our strong portfolio of oncology and hematology products."
"We are very pleased to announce this important agreement, in
keeping with our corporate strategy of partnering in Europe and
other parts of the world, as we prepare for the launch of
omacetaxine in the U.S., if approved," said Greg Collier, CEO and
Managing Director ChemGenex. "We look forward to working with the
Hospira team to realize omacetaxine’s potential in the
hematology-oncology space in Europe."
About Omacetaxine
Omacetaxine is a first-in-class cetaxine with demonstrated
clinical activity as a single agent in a range of hematological
malignancies. Omacetaxine has a novel mechanism of action,
specifically binding to the ribosomal A-site cleft and inhibiting
protein translation of short-lived oncoproteins that are
upregulated in leukemic cells (particularly Cyclin-D1, Mcl-1 and
c-Myc).
Omacetaxine mepesuccinate is administered subcutaneously and
acts differently from TKIs. It may have a therapeutic advantage for
patients who have failed TKIs. Omacetaxine is currently in global
phase 2/3 clinical trials for subsequent indications within CML and
has been granted Orphan Drug designations by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as well
as Fast Track status by the FDA.
About ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited
ChemGenex is an oncology focused biopharmaceutical company
developing small molecules with new mechanisms of action to treat
malignancies with significant unmet medical needs. The company is
developing omacetaxine, its lead product candidate, for the
treatment of patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Acute
Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). A New
Drug Application has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and a Marketing Authorisation Application has been
validated by the European Medicines Agency for CML patients with
the Bcr-Abl T315I mutation. ChemGenex has established a corporate
alliance with Hospira to develop and commercialize omacetaxine in
Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa, and is seeking to
establish commercial partnerships in the rest of the world.
ChemGenex plans to commercialize omacetaxine itself in North
America. ChemGenex currently trades on the Australian Stock
Exchange under the symbol "CXS" For additional information on
ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals, please visit the company’s website at
http://www.chemgenex.com.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and
medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness™. As
the world leader in specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals,
Hospira offers one of the broadest portfolios of generic acute-care
and oncology injectables, as well as integrated infusion therapy
and medication management solutions. Through its products, Hospira
helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of patient care.
The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has
approximately 14,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com
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Private Securities Litigation
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Statements
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including projections of
certain measures of Hospira's results of operations, projections of
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forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
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