Exhibit 99.1
Athenex Regains Rights toKX2-391 in China
BUFFALO, N.Y., Mar. 7, 2019 — Athenex, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, today announced that upon Athenex’s request, Athenex and Chongqing Jingdong Junzhuo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Chonqing Jingdong Pharmaceutical”) have mutually agreed to terminate the licensing and partnership agreement entered into on December 30, 2018.
Pursuant to the original agreement, Athenex, via Chongqing Taihao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (an Athenex subsidiary in China), granted to Chongqing Jingdong Pharmaceutical the rights to exclusively commercializeKX2-391 for the treatment of actinic keratosis and oncology indications in humans in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). Under the terms of the termination agreement, Athenex has regained the rights to commercializeKX2-391 in mainland China. The decision of both parties to terminate the licensing and partnership agreement has no connection with the progress or the results of any of the clinical studies of theKX2-391 program.
Johnson Lau, Chief Executive Officer of Athenex, commented, “We believeKX2-391 is an important drug candidate with the potential to drive significant economic value for Athenex. We remain committed to the global development and commercialization efforts. The compelling clinical profile ofKX2-391 ointment was highlighted in the Late-Breaking Program at the recent 2019 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, where the topline results of our two pivotal Phase III studies were presented. We believe we are well positioned to align our development strategies in mainland China as we continue to evaluate options forKX2-391 globally.”
For further information on the topline results from the two pivotal Phase III studies ofKX2-391 ointment in the treatment of actinic keratosis released on March 4, 2019, please visit the Press Releases page of the Investor Relations section of Athenex’s website at www.athenex.com and review SEC filings on www.sec.gov.
KX2-391, also known asKX-01, is afirst-in-class dual Src kinase and tubulin polymerization inhibitor.KX2-391 ointment is a topical medicinal product for the treatment of actinic keratosis that is in late stage Phase III development. Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition that is induced through ultra-violet light damage, resulting in patches of thick, scaly, or crusty skin. Other drug candidates withKX2-391 as the active ingredient are also being developed for oncology indications.
About Athenex, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leader in the discovery and development of next generation drugs for the treatment of cancer. Athenex is organized around three platforms, including an Oncology Innovation Platform, a Commercial Platform and a Global Supply Chain Platform. The Company’s current clinical pipeline is derived from four different platform technologies: (1) Orascovery, based onnon-absorbedP-glycoprotein inhibitor, (2) Src kinase inhibition,(3) T-cell receptor-engineeredT-cells(TCR-T), and (4) Arginine deprivation therapy. Athenex’s employees worldwide are dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by creating more active and tolerable treatments. Athenex has offices in Buffalo and Clarence, New York; Cranford, New Jersey; Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Hong Kong; Taipei, Taiwan; and multiple locations in Chongqing, China. For more information, please visit www.athenex.com.
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