First Patient in the US Dosed in a Global Multicentre Phase 3 Clinical Study of Bevacizumab for treatment of Ophthalmic Diseases

Essex Bio-Technology today announced that the first patient in the United States (US) was dosed in a global multi-centre phase 3 clinical study of EB12-20145P, a recombinant anti-VEGF humanised monoclonal antibody injection jointly developed by the Group and Shanghai Henlius Biotech, for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and Ophthalmic Diseases.

Previously, the first patients in the European Union (EU) and Australia were dosed in the same global multicenter phase 3 clinical trial of EB12-20145P. Meanwhile, the first patient has been dosed in a parallel phase 3 clinical trial in China for EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) for the treatment of wAMD. This randomised, double-blinded, active-controlled, global phase 3 study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) with ranibizumab in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). Eligible patients will be randomised 1:1 to receive intravitreal injection of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) (1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (0.5 mg) every 4 weeks for 48 weeks. The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) with ranibizumab at Week 36 in patient’s study eye with wAMD. The primary endpoint is the mean change from baseline in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at Week 36. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of other efficacy endpoints, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profiles.

EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) is a recombinant anti-VEGF humanized monoclonal antibody injection constructed using genetic engineering technology independently developed by Henlius. EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) can inhibit VEGF’s binding to its receptor Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR(VEGFR-2) on endothelial cells to inhibit the activation of its tyrosine kinase signalling pathway, inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and reduce angiogenesis, thereby treating eye diseases associated with angiogenesis. According to the requirements of ophthalmic drugs, the Company has developed EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) which optimizes the prescription, specifications, and production processes of HANBEITAI, assuming that the active ingredients remain unchanged. Through a series of comparability analysis, it is proved that the changes in the production process and prescription of the preparation have no adverse impact on the quality, safety and efficacy of the preparation.

In addition to the EU and Australia, the clinical trial applications of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) had been approved in Singapore and other countries and regions. Essex and Henlius will jointly manage progressively the global multi-centre clinical trials of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) and apply marketing authorization in China, Australia, the EU, and the US around the globe based on the research results. EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) has the potential to be one of the first bevacizumab approved for use in ophthalmic diseases, benefiting more patients with eye diseases worldwide.