PharmaEssentia gets certain Asian rights to Kinex' dermatology candidate KX01

USA-based privately-held Kinex Pharmaceuticals has entered a licensing agreement granting Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia exclusive rights in certain Asian territories for the dermatology preparations of Kinex' dual Src/Pretubulin Inhibitor, KX01.

Under the terms of the deal, PharmaEssentia will acquire the rights for the development and commercialization of the dermatologic preparations for all indications in greater China and some other Southeast Asian countries. Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are not included in this agreement.

KX01 (KX2-391) is a potent small-molecule Src kinase/Pretubulin dual mechanism inhibitor discovered by Kinex using its proprietary technology platforms Mimetica and Opal. KX01 differentiates itself as an inhibitor that targets the kinase substrate pocket and, therefore, offers an excellent efficacy as well as safety profile. KX01 has been shown to be very effective against a broad range of cancers in both in vitro experiments and in animal cancer models. Importantly, the compound has synergistic/additive activities with most first line chemotherapeutic agents. A completed study, in patients with end-stage cancer, showed a desirable safety profile and clinical response in around 25% of the patients. Phase II studies are ongoing. The composition of matter of KX01 is covered by issued patents.