Antengene Announces Global Exclusive License Agreement with AstraZeneca for ERK1/2 Inhibitor AZD0364

SHANGHAI and LONDON, Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Antengene Corporation today announced that it has entered into a global exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) to advance the clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the innovative drug AZD0364 worldwide. Antengene is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology, with operations in both China and the United States. AstraZeneca is a globally renowned, innovation- and science-driven biopharmaceutical company. AZD0364 is a highly selective small-molecule inhibitor targeting ERK1/2. The inhibitor has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct clinical studies, and clinical trials for multiple solid tumors are currently underway.

ERK is a key component of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK (RAS/MAPK) signaling pathway, which is frequently mutated and drives tumor cell growth and survival. AZD0364 was discovered and initially developed by AstraZeneca. Prior to this transaction, AstraZeneca had terminated all other global licensing agreements for AZD0364.

Dr. Susan Galbraith, Senior Vice President of Innovative Medicines and Early Development at AstraZeneca and Head of Oncology Innovative Medicines, stated, “We believe that Antengene Corporation will further explore the mechanisms of the ERK target through its specialized scientific research, while also leveraging its professional and efficient R&D capabilities to continuously unlock the clinical potential of AZD0364, thereby addressing urgent patient needs.”

Dr. Mei Jianming, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Antengene Corporation, stated, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with AstraZeneca. The ERK/RAS/MAPK pathway is a critical signaling cascade that is overexpressed in tumors. The development of AZD0364 will serve as a significant complement to Antengene’s product pipeline and preclinical research. In particular, we have observed extensive synergistic effects and promising combination potential across multiple tumor types when used alongside our other investigational agents targeting key signaling pathways. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with AstraZeneca to bring more innovative therapies to patients and address urgent unmet clinical needs.”