Singapore, January 6, 2016 – ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (ASLAN), a biotech company focused on the development of immunotherapies and targeted agents for Asia prevalent tumour types, today announced that it has signed an expanded licensing agreement for the compound ASLAN003, also known as LAS186323, with its partner Almirall S.A. (Almirall), a global pharmaceutical company based in Barcelona. Under the terms of the broadened licence agreement, Almirall has granted ASLAN global rights to develop and commercialise ASLAN003 for all non-topical and non-dermatological indications including oncology.
ASLAN003 is a small molecule inhibitor of DiHydroOrotate DeHydrogenase (DHODH), an enzyme which catalyses the key rate-limiting step in the synthesis of pyrimidines in mammalian cells, originally licensed to ASLAN in 2012 as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In studies conducted to date, ASLAN003 has generated promising emerging preclinical data in oncology indications where the mechanism is linked with induction of p53 and apoptosis. ASLAN plans to develop ASLAN003 in several oncology indications as monotherapy and in combination with other targeted agents.
Dr Mark McHale, Chief Operating Officer of ASLAN, said: “We are delighted to continue and expand our collaboration with Almirall. ASLAN003 is an exciting compound and the promising preclinical data we have observed in various tumour models suggest that it has the potential to become an important novel therapy in the emerging area of cancer metabolism with application to a range of different tumour types. This broadened agreement is a strong endorsement of the success of our collaborative work with Almirall to date and is reflective of both teams’ confidence in each other’s complementary expertise in the research and development of new medicines.”
ASLAN will be responsible for all future development, manufacturing and commercialisation activities. Almirall is eligible to receive development and regulatory based milestone payments and tiered-royalty payments on global sales of ASLAN003 upon successful commercialisation.
About ASLAN003
ASLAN003 is a novel potent and selective inhibitor of the DHODH enzyme that has shown in vitro antiproliferative activity in several cellular models and good in vivo efficacy following oral administration. ASLAN003 is a second generation DHODH inhibitor that has completed single and multiple ascending dose studies in healthy volunteers. ASLAN003 was originally discovered by Almirall (LAS186323) and licensed to ASLAN in May 2012.
About ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals is an oncology focused biotechnology company developing a portfolio of immunotherapies and targeted drugs, focusing on Asia prevalent tumour types. Led by a highly experienced management team with global pharmaceutical expertise, ASLAN is headquartered in Singapore with a platform which reaches across the region via its offices in Taiwan, China and Australia, enabling the Company to conduct and support regional clinical development programmes. The Company’s proprietary pipeline of 4 development-stage candidates addresses multiple indications including gastric and breast cancers and inflammatory diseases. ASLAN’s most advanced compounds are in phase 2: ASLAN001, a pan-HER inhibitor with phase 2 data in gastric cancer, being developed in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer and gastric cancer; and ASLAN002, which targets RON, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and cMET. For more information, please visit www.aslanpharma.com
