ERK small molecule inhibitor has potential to address unmet medical need in China

SHANGHAI, CHINA, January 3, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Shanghai Furen Medicine R&D Co. Ltd. (Shanghai Furen) today announced an agreement with AstraZeneca for exclusive rights to AZD0364 in China. AZD0364, a small molecule extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, is being investigated in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumours.

Yingxian Xiao, Chief Executive Officer of Shanghai Furen, said, "We are thrilled to enter into this exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca for AZD0364, which inhibits ERK1/2. With strong support from Furen Medicines Group, as well as established collaborations with AstraZeneca and other partners of Shanghai Furen, we believe we can advance clinical studies of AZD0364 in NSCLC and other solid tumours. Our ambition is to make this the first in class ERK1/2 inhibitor in China."

Susan Galbraith, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology, Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “NSCLC represents a significant unmet medical need in China. Through this agreement with Shanghai Furen, the development of AZD0364, a small molecule that inhibits ERK1/2, can be accelerated with the aim of bringing a new treatment to patients faster.”

AZD0364 is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of ERK1/2 and inhibits RAS/MAPK pathway signalling. ERK is a key component of the RAS/MAPK pathway that is believed to drive the growth of many cancers. Mutations in pathway components such as RAF and RAS are common in many cancer types. ERK inhibitors enable the targeting of tumours with MAPK pathway alterations, such as NSCLC. Currently, no ERK1/2 inhibitor has been approved for marketing.

The agreement grants Shanghai Furen the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the ERK inhibitor in China. Preclinical data have demonstrated efficacy in models of lung and other solid tumours. On 9 August 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted AstraZeneca's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AZD0364 being developed for treatment of NSCLC and other solid tumours.

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer in China and the number one cause of cancer deaths in the country. In 2018, there were over 774,000 new lung cancer cases alone

About Shanghai Furen
Shanghai Furen is a subsidiary of Furen Medicines Group, which is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in China. Since its inception in 2015, Shanghai Furen has established five platforms: cell therapies, large molecule innovative therapeutics, small molecule innovative medicines, high-value generic drugs and medical devices. Shanghai Furen’s vision is to bring innovative medicines and advanced medical technologies to patients in China and around the world. For more information please visit: www.shfrmrd.com.

Jackie Qin
Shanghai Furen Medicine R&D Co.,Ltd.
+86 21-3403-1200
email us here

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.