Specialised Therapeutics Asia to License Promising Anti-Cancer Compound Lurbinectedin (PM1183) for South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand

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May 17, 2017, 12:23 ET

Lurbinectedin (PM1183) is a novel anti-cancer drug in final stage trials for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer

Second major license deal between Specialised Therapeutics Asia and PharmaMar

ST Asia affiliate company makes equity investment in PharmaMar

SINGAPORE and MELBOURNE, Australia, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST Asia) is set to commercialise a promising new anti-cancer drug throughout South East Asia, after signing a second major licensing deal with European pharmaceutical company PharmaMar.

The latest agreement allows ST Asia marketing and distribution rights to new anti-cancer compound lurbinectedin (PM1183) in Australia, New Zealand and throughout SE Asia.

This promising agent is currently in final stage (Phase 3) trials as a potential new therapy for various solid tumours, including platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. In addition, it is in a Phase 2 trial for metastatic breast cancer with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

Commercial terms of the new license agreement are not being disclosed by ST Asia, but PharmaMar will receive an upfront payment, royalties and additional remunerations for regulatory and sales milestones achieved in these new markets.

An ST Asia affiliate company will also make an equity investment in PharmaMar.

PharmaMar will also retain development and production rights for lurbinectedin (PM1183), and pending completion of all regulatory processes, will supply the finished product to ST Asia for exclusive commercial use in all agreed regions.

ST Asia Chief Executive Officer Mr Carlo Montagner said this new licensing deal cemented the company's existing strong relationship with PharmaMar and demonstrated high confidence in the partner company's development pipeline.

"We have the highest regard for PharmaMar and are pleased to partner once again, pursuing development of this highly promising oncology compound," he said.

"We eagerly await data from these final stage studies and look forward to making new therapies like this available to patients throughout our regions who are affected by difficult to treat cancers."

Lurbinectedin (PM1183) is the third marine-derived organism in development by PharmaMar.

Data from the Phase 3 study of lurbinectedin (PM1183) in resistant ovarian cancer (CORAIL) is expected to be available later this year, following the completion of patient recruitment in October 2016.

A Phase 3 trial in small cell lung cancer (ATLANTIS) was initiated in August 2016.

PharmaMar Chairman José María Fernandez Sousa-Faro said: "We are proud to enter into a new agreement with ST Asia, enabling us to reach new populations of cancer patients who may benefit from our novel therapies.

"We remain committed to advancing the development of innovative therapies that may benefit society."

About Specialised Therapeutics Asia

Specialised Therapeutics Asia Pte Ltd (ST Asia) is an international biopharmaceutical company established to provide pioneering healthcare solutions to patients throughout South East Asia, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. The company is a close affiliate of Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA), which also collaborates with leading global pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies to bring novel, innovative and life changing healthcare solutions to patients affected by a range of diseases. ST Asia is committed to making new and novel therapies available to patients around the world, with a broad therapeutic portfolio spanning oncology, hematology, urology and ophthalmology. Additional information can be found at www.STAbiopharma.com

About PharmaMar

Headquartered in Madrid, PharmaMar is a world-leading biopharmaceutical company in the discovery and development of innovative marine-derived anticancer drugs. The company has an important pipeline of drug candidates and a robust R&D oncology program. PharmaMar develops and commercializes YONDELIS^® in Europe and has three other clinical stage programs under development for several types of solid and hematological cancers PM1183, plitidepsin, and PM60184. PharmaMar is a global biopharmaceutical company with subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland United Kingdom, Belgium and the United States. PharmaMar fully owns three other companies: GENOMICA, Spain's leading molecular diagnostics company; Sylentis, dedicated to researching therapeutic applications of gene silencing (RNAi); and two other chemical enterprises, Zelnova and Xylazel. To learn more about PharmaMar, please visit us at www.pharmamar.com.

About lurbinectedin (PM1183)

PM1183 is a compound under clinical investigation. It is an inhibitor of RNA polymerase II. This enzyme is essential for the transcription process that is over-activated in tumors with transcription addiction. The antitumor efficacy of lurbinectedin is being investigated in various types of solid tumors.

Disclaimer

This document is a press release, not a prospectus. This document does not constitute or form part of an offering or invitation to sell or a solicitation to purchase, offer or subscribe shares of the company. Moreover, no reliance should be placed upon this document for any investment decision or contract and it does not constitute a recommendation of any type with regard to the shares of the company.

Further Inquiries:

STA Communications Manager Emma Power - +61 419 149 525

SOURCE Specialised Therapeutics Asia