HLB "Oral Presentation of Riboceranib Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results in Small Cell Lung Cancer at AACR"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] HL Biopharma announced on the 27th (local time in the U.S.) that the Phase 2 clinical trial results of the combination therapy of Rivoceranib (Chinese name, Apatinib) and Camrelizumab for second-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer were presented orally at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR 2020).

The Phase 2 clinical trial of the combination of Rivoceranib and Camrelizumab, conducted at 13 hospitals including the National Cancer Center of China and the Oncology Center of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, showed a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 3.6 months and a median overall survival (mOS) of 8.4 months. The objective response rate (ORR) was 34%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 69.5%, presenting very meaningful results compared to previous immune checkpoint inhibitor clinical trial outcomes.

Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 15% of newly diagnosed lung cancers annually and is divided into limited stage, confined to the lungs, and extensive stage, where metastasis occurs beyond the lungs. Most patients are in the extensive stage, with an expected survival of approximately 2-4 months. It is also known as a cancer type with a high recurrence rate, very limited efficacy of second-line chemotherapy, and poor prognosis.

In particular, this clinical trial confirmed safety with no deaths due to treatment-related adverse events, and showed a high response rate not only in patients sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy but also in those resistant, thus highly evaluating the potential as a second-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

An HL Biopharma official stated, "This clinical result once again confirmed the efficacy and safety of Rivoceranib," and added, "Currently, Elevar is conducting five clinical trials including first-line treatment for liver cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer, and with this meaningful clinical result in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, the value of Rivoceranib will be further expanded."

HL Biopharma acquired global rights including China from Advenchen Laboratories, the developer of Rivoceranib, last February. The increase in sales due to the expanded indications of Hansoh Pharmaceutical and Elevar is expected to directly translate into royalty income for HL Biopharma, generating stable and long-term operating profits.

AACR is an international academic event considered one of the two major conferences in oncology along with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), attended annually by over 500 companies from 80 countries worldwide to present early clinical trial and preclinical results. Due to COVID-19, AACR 2020 was held with a first online presentation on April 27-28 and a second online program on June 22-24.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.