ChemGenex and Stragen to develop cancer drug

Ceflatonin is currently undergoing examination in a phase II trial for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in patients who are resistant to Gleevec. In addition to CML, Ceflatonin has established clinical activity in other blood cell cancers including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

ChemGenex and Stragen will combine their respective strengths to pursue clinical approval of Ceflatonin in the US, Europe, Australia and other territories. ChemGenex will provide expertise in drug development and clinical trial management while Stragen offers manufacturing, distribution, and marketing expertise.

Under the agreement, ChemGenex will be responsible for the global clinical development of Ceflatonin, as well as registration and marketing in North America and Asia-Pacific. Stragen will be responsible for drug production and global supply, as well as facilitating regulatory approvals within Europe. Once Ceflatonin is approved in Europe, the alliance partners will market the product under the ChemGenex brand. The eventual profit split of sales in this territory will be shared ChemGenex 49%, Stragen 51%.

ChemGenex has become the eleventh Australian company to list on Nasdaq, the world’s premier technology stock index.