AT-101 and AT-406 are both oral small molecules that trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) at different points in the apoptosis pathways.
As per the terms of the agreements, Ascentage Pharma will be responsible for all development and regulatory approval efforts for both programs in China and will provide components of manufacturing for global development.
However, Ascenta will receive drug supply, upfront and product development and commercialisation milestone payments, and royalties on net sales.
Ascentage Pharma will license both programs for China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) and will license AT-101 for all regions outside the US, Canada and Europe. Ascenta will retain all rights to AT-406 outside China and all rights to AT-101 for the US, Canada and Europe (including Russia).
Ascentage Pharma president and CEO Dajun Yang said that early research indicates that apoptosis-triggering small molecules could play an important role in the next generation of targeted cancer therapeutics.