Adlai Nortye Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase Ia Clinical Trial of AN2025 and AN0025 in Combination with atezolizumab for Advanced Solid Tumors

Adlai Nortye, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative oncology drugs, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase Ia clinical trial in the U.S. to evaluate the triple combination of AN2025 (buparlisib, oral pan-PI3K inhibitor), AN0025 (oral EP4 antagonist) and atezolizumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) in patients with locally advanced/metastatic tumors.

This trial (AN2025S0101) is an open-label, multicenter, Phase Ia study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (“PK”) and preliminary efficacy of AN2025 and AN0025 in double or triple combination treatments with atezolizumab in patients with locally advanced/metastatic tumors. The study consists of three dose-limiting toxicity (“DLT”) Observation Periods, Observation I, II and III. Observations I and II are double combination treatments, which will be conducted in parallel, whereas Observation III (the triple combination treatment) will be initiated only after a thorough review of the safety data from Observations I and II. Each Observation period will last 3 weeks. This study plans to recruit approximately 63 patients. The first patient was dosed at Florida Cancer Specialists – Lake Mary Cancer Center, while the study is also going to recruit patients from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma.

AN2025 targets not only PI3K mediated tumorigenesis (e.g. via inhibition of PI3Ka/PIK3CA mutants) but also the immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment (e.g. via inhibition of PI3Ko and PI3Ky). According to the Frost & Sullivan Report, PIK3CA alterations are found in approximately 13% of all solid tumors globally, including 25% to 40% of cervical cancer, 30% to 40% of breast cancer, 30% to 35% of endometrial cancer, 30% of ovarian cancer, 24% of urothelial cancer, 20% of colorectal cancer and 10% to 20% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (“HNSCC”) globally. The global incidence of PIK3CA mutant solid tumors reached approximately 2.3 million in 2020 and is expected to reach approximately 2.9 million in 2030, indicating a substantial overall addressable market and significant commercial potential.

Adlai Nortye aspires to develop differentiated cancer immunotherapy medicines for global markets. The Company’s Cocktail therapy strategy represents the third wave of immuno-oncology therapy, featuring the combination of an immune checkpoint inhibitor with two or more additional cancer therapies. The Company expects it to achieve significantly higher overall response rates than present combination therapies. The triple combination of AN2025 (targeted therapy), AN0025 (immuno-oncology therapy) and atezolizumab (immuno-oncology therapy) exemplifies the cocktail therapy strategy of Adlai Nortye.

“Results from preclinical studies of the triple combination of AN2025, AN0025 and an anti-PD1 antibody have demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity. We believe that this triple combination potentially could develop into a novel anti-cancer immune therapy by exquisitely and systemically targeting the suppressive tumor microenvironment and thus permitting enhanced host immune responses against the tumor.” said Dr. Lars Birgerson, Chief Medical Officer of Adlai Nortye, “We expect to identify the recommended Phase II dose of this Phase I clinical trial in the second half of 2022 as a step in a planned development program to bring this therapy to patients worldwide. Adlai Nortye is strongly committed to improve the lives of patients and their families by continuously developing our pipeline in oncology through our cocktail therapy strategy.”

About AN2025S0101
This is an open-label, multicenter, Phase Ia study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK and preliminary efficacy of AN2025 and AN0025 in double or triple combination treatments with atezolizumab in patients with locally advanced/metastatic tumors. This study consists of three DLT Observation Periods, Observation I, II and III. Observations I and II are double combination treatments, which will be conducted in parallel, whereas Observation III (the triple combination treatment) will be initiated only after a thorough review of the safety data from Observations I and II. Each Observation period will last 3 weeks.

About AN2025 (Buparlisib)
AN2025 (buparlisib) is an oral pan-PI3K inhibitor that targets all class I PI3K isoforms and is active in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. In the global randomized Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with buparlisib in combination with paclitaxel, the median overall survival was as high as 10.4 months. Buparlisib was granted Fast-Track designation for this indication from the FDA. The ongoing study is the first global Phase III clinical trial conducted by Adlai Nortye.

About AN0025 (EP4 Antagonist)
AN0025 is a potentially first-in-class oral EP4 antagonist that blocks prostaglandin E2 from binding to its subtype 4 receptor (EP4) changing the immunosuppressive character of the tumor microenvironment. Based on preliminary results, it is well tolerated in patients with solid tumors in combination with radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (“RT/CRT”). A Phase Ib study of AN0025 in combination with the standard of care in a neoadjuvant setting for locally advanced rectal cancer showed excellent results, with 20% of patients achieving clinical complete remission and 16% achieving pathological complete remission in this study.

About Adlai Nortye
Adlai Nortye is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative oncology drugs, with its R&D and clinical operation centers in both China and the United States. With a strategic emphasis on oncology, the Company has built a global pipeline through collaborations and internal discovery with more than 10 drug candidates in development. Currently, four of them are being investigated in clinical trials. With fast-track designation from the FDA, AN2025 (buparlisib), in combination with paclitaxel, is initially developed to be the drug of choice for 2L treatment of metastatic HNSCC after anti-PD-1 treatment (Phase III multi-center clinical trial). AN0025 is a clinical-stage, potential first-in-class EP4 antagonist designed to modulate tumor microenvironment. AN1004 (pelareorep), with fast-track designation from the FDA, is a registrational trial-stage, potential first-in-class intravenously delivered oncolytic virus for treating hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer. AN4005, the Company’s clinically most advanced drug candidate from in-house discovery, is a potential first-in-class, orally available, small-molecule PD-L1 inhibitor.

The Company has assembled an experienced management team, built its proprietary drug research and development platforms and partnered with multiple leading pharmaceutical companies to promote innovation. Adlai Nortye is committed to becoming an innovative biopharmaceutical company with global vision and strives to benefit patients worldwide. The mission of the Company is to transform deadly cancer into a chronic and eventually a curable disease. For more information, please visit: www.adlainortye.com.


Topic: Press release summary

Adlai Nortye Raises $100 Million in Series D Financing, Co-led by SDIC Fund Management and Tigermed, participated by Legend Star, WuXi Biologics Healthcare Ventures

Adlai Nortye Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Adlai Nortye”), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative oncology drugs, today announced the completion of $100 million Series D financing round. Co-led by SDIC Fund Management and Tigermed, this round of financing is participated by Legend Star, Wuxi Biologicals Healthcare Ventures, Triwise Capital, Qingdao Mukui, Guolian Industrial Investment, Tian Ge Interactive, etc. Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate the development of ongoing clinical and preclinical programs, expand drug portfolio through in-house R&D capability, in-licensing, mergers and acquisitions and other strategic collaborations.

“We intend to develop differentiated and innovative oncology drugs globally to address the unmet medical needs and aspire to transform the deadly cancer into a chronic and eventually a curable disease,” said Carsten Lu, President and CEO of Adlai Nortye. “This round of financing represents an important milestone for Adlai Nortye, and we are honored to continue gaining support from our prestigious new and existing investors as Adlai Nortye has demonstrated a proven track record of delivering what we promised to the market and investors in the previous rounds. We are well-positioned to advance the development of our robust therapeutics pipeline and looking forward to bringing in more and more innovative treatments benefiting patients globally.”

“We have strong conviction in innovation and paying close attention to what is trending in the biopharmaceutical industry,” said Dazhong Lv, Managing Director of SDIC Fund Managemengt. “Adlai Nortye’s strategic vision in global market, dedication to innovation in research and strong execution capability are what have been attracting us. We are pleased to have the opportunity to lead Adlai Nortye’s D round and look forward to the development of multiple first-in-class drugs from the company’s innovative pipeline globally and in China.”

Yan Leng, partner of Legend Star added, “Adlai Nortye is quickly emerging as a leader in the field of oncology and we are delighted to have invested in Adlai Nortye and provided support for the R&D of the company’s promising pipeline. Combining innovative research and advanced clinical assets with proven management experience, Adlai Nortye has built an exciting portfolio filled with opportunities. We are excited to join such an experienced and proven management team, outstanding group of investors and top-tier pharmaceutical partners to advance the company’s pipeline products.”

About Adlai Nortye
Adlai Nortye is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative oncology drugs, with its R&D and global clinical operation centers in both China and the United States. With a strategic emphasis on oncology, the Company has built a global pipeline through collaborations and internal discoveries with more than 10 drug candidates in development. Currently, four of them are being investigated in clinical trials. The FDA Fast Track-designated AN2025 (Buparlisib) is undergoing a global multicenter Phase III clinical trial. AN1004 (Pelareorep), an FDA Fast Track-designated intravenously-administered oncolytic virus, has completed a Phase II clinical trial. Oral EP4 antagonist AN0025 (Palupiprant) has completed Phase 1b trial in a neoadjuvant setting in locally advanced rectal cancer and is undergoing Phase 1b trial in combination with Keytruda in patients with multiple solid tumors. AN4005, the internally discovered oral small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor, is currently in Phase I clinical trial in the U.S.

The Company has assembled a world-class leadership team, built its unique immuno-oncology platforms, and established strategic collaborations with multiple global leading biopharmaceutical companies, such as Novartis, Merck, Eisai, Oncolytics Biotech, etc. Adlai Nortye is committed to becoming an innovative biopharmaceutical company with a global vision and strives to bring more effective treatments to patients in China and worldwide. The Company shoulders the mission of transforming cancer into a non-fatal disease or even a cure. For more information, please visit: www.adlainortye.com.

About SDIC Fund Management

Established in July 2009, SDIC Fund Management Corporation Limited is an independent, professional private equity company. It currently manages and advises more than RMB 50 billion of capital for a wide range of institutional investors including financial institutions, social security funds, and state-owned and private capital. SDIC Fund Management Corporation Limited is one of the largest professional private equity fund managers in China.

About Tigermed

Tigermed (Stock code: 300347.SZ/3347.HK) is a leading provider of innovative clinical research solutions across the full life cycle of biopharmaceutical and medical device products globally. With a broad portfolio of services and a promise of quality, from clinical development to commercialization, we are committed to moving our customers and patients through their development journey efficiently and cost-effectively. Tigermed currently represents a worldwide network of more than 60 subsidiaries and 150 offices and sites, with over 6,400 employees across 38 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North & South America and Africa. We are devoted to building an integrated platform that enables boundless possibility for the healthcare industry, embracing challenges to fulfill our commitment to serve unmet patients’ needs, and eventually saving lives.

About Legend Star

Founded in 2008 as an angel investor, Legend Star is managing 7 early-stage funds with a total commitment of up to RMB 3.5 billion. By the end of 2020, it has made about 300 new name investments in cutting-edge technology, TMT and healthcare / pharmaceutical sectors.

About Wuxi Biologics

WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company, is a leading global open-access biologics technology platform offering end-to-end solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop, and manufacture biologics from concept to commercial manufacturing. The company’s history and achievements demonstrate its commitment to providing a truly one-stop service offering and strong value proposition to its global clients.

The company is currently conducting (as of March 22, 2021) a total of 361 integrated projects: 190 in pre-clinical development; 137 in early-phase (phase I and II) clinical development; 32 in late-phase (phase III) development; and 2 in commercial manufacturing. With a total estimated capacity at around 430,000 liters for biopharmaceutical production planned by 2024 in China, Ireland, the U.S., Germany, and Singapore, WuXi Biologics will provide its biomanufacturing partners with an even more robust and premier-quality global supply chain network.

WuXi Biologics views Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities as an integral component of its ethos and business strategy and has established an ESG committee led by the CEO to increase efficiency while advancing commitment to sustainability. For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com.


Topic: Press release summary