Chi-Med trials with AstraZeneca show preliminary anti-tumour activity

Hutchison China MediTech - commonly known as Chi-Med - announced on Tuesday that both it and AstraZeneca presented preliminary safety and clinical activity data of savolitinib when given in combination with either Tagrisso (osimertinib) or Iressa (gefitinib) in two Phase Ib/II proof-of-concept trials conducted in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer with MET-amplification, who had progressed following first-line treatment with an EGFR inhibitor.

The AIM-traded firm said that In both trials, the addition of savolitinib - 600mg, once daily - an investigational selective inhibitor of mesenchymal epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase, to Tagrisso - 80mg, once daily - or Iressa - 250mg, once daily - demonstrated preliminary anti-tumor activity.

It said the data was shared in two oral presentations at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 18th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Yokohama, Japan.

“Secondary resistance mechanisms often emerge during treatment with mutation-targeted medicines, leading to disease progression,” said Dr Myung-Ju Ahn of the department of hematology and oncology at the Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul.

“The data presented at WCLC demonstrate the potential of utilizing savolitinib in c-MET-driven lung cancers to address resistance challenges.”

Susan Galbraith, head of oncology at AstraZeneca Research and Early Development, said her company was “committed” to developing innovative medicines to overcome the key drivers of cancer mechanisms of resistance and are strategically focused on developing effective combinations.

“The latest results for savolitinib in combination with osimertinib and gefitinib support our approach in collaboration with Chi-Med.”