Geneva, Switzerland, and Singapore, 27 July 2016 – Selexis SA, a pioneering life sciences company and a global leader in mammalian (suspension-adapted CHO-K1) cell line generation, and ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company focused on the development of immunotherapies and targeted agents for Asia prevalent tumour types, today announced that they have entered into a service agreement under which Selexis will develop a CHO-K1 cell line for expression of ASLAN004, a novel fully human monoclonal antibody. ASLAN004 targets IL-13R-alpha1, and ASLAN is currently exploring its potential in a range of allergic disorders and oncology indications as both monotherapy and in combination with existing immunotherapies.
“We believe our SUREtechnology™ Platform will yield a cell line that will help to advance ASLAN’s clinical candidate towards the company’s goal of transforming treatments for cancers that are prevalent in Asia,” said Marco Bocci, PhD, DPharm, Selexis vice president, licensing and business development. “Selexis continues to seek commercial partners to advance scientific innovation into life-saving treatments for patients. Together, with our partners, we can realize the full potential of global research from scientists around the world, and help patients around the world.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Selexis will deliver to ASLAN a final clonal cell line expressing ASLAN004, a monoclonal antibody that potently targets signaling of both IL-4 and IL-13, two cytokines that are pivotal in allergic disease and are responsible for the growth of several tumour types. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Our partnership with Selexis allows us to leverage the company’s expertise and excellence in cell line generation as we seek to bolster the development of our proprietary biologics pipeline – with ASLAN004 as our first biologic compound,” commented Mark McHale, Chief Operating Officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals. “ASLAN’s strategic collaborations with innovative partners enables us to enhance our clinical capabilities and deliver on our strategy to develop effective treatments that can improve outcomes for Asian patients.”
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 that reaches across the region via its offices in Taiwan, China and Australia, enabling the Company to conduct global 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 pivotal studies: Varlitinib (ASLAN001), a pan-HER inhibitor with positive phase 2 data in gastric cancer, being developed in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma and gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma; ASLAN002 a potent immune checkpoint inhibitor which targets the RON and MER family of macrophage/ dendritic cell receptor tyrosine kinases; ASLAN003, a potent inducer of P53 in tumour cells and ASLAN004, a fully human blocking antibody targeting the human IL-13-R-alpha1.
About Selexis SA
Selexis SA is a pioneering life sciences company and a global leader in mammalian (suspension-adapted CHO-K1) cell line generation, providing unparalleled proprietary technology and the highly specialized expertise that is necessary to translate scientific innovation into life-saving medicines for patients. Selexis’ SUREtechnology Platform™ facilitates the rapid, stable, and cost-effective production of virtually any recombinant protein and provides seamless integration of the bioproduction continuum, spanning discovery to commercialization. With nearly 90 clients worldwide and more than 70 drug products in clinical and commercial manufacturing utilizing its cell lines, Selexis has a history of empowering scientists and biopharmaceutical companies around the world to realize the full potential of their research.