Hutchison China MediTech presents promising data in Washington

Hutchison China MediTech presented data from a recent Phase I, first-in-human, dose escalating study of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of HMPL-523 on Monday, to the Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, being held in Washington DC.

The AIM-traded firm’s presentation included additional data on HMPL-523, a highly selective, potent and orally available inhibitor of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk).

It said Syk plays a pivotal role in the regulation of downstream signaling in immune receptors, including B cell receptors, which play a key role in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The Phase I dose-escalating study to assess safety, tolerability and PK of HMPL-523 was completed in healthy volunteers in Australia in late 2015.

“HMPL-523 was administered at up to 800mg as a single dose and up to 400mg in multiple doses in 14 cohorts,” the board said.

“The treatment was generally well tolerated without material off-target toxicities, including lower rates of diarrhea and hypertension compared to what had been observed in first-generation Syk inhibitors.

“Furthermore, HMPL-523 demonstrated a dose-dependent suppression of B-cell activation. The Company plans to initiate a Phase II study in the US in 2017.”

HMPL-523 is also being studied in oncology indications, Chi-Med reported.

“A Phase I dose escalation study was initiated in Australia in January 2016 and is expected to complete in the first half of 2017.

“This study is in patients with relapsed and/or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia for whom there is no standard therapy.”