Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions

The world's first non-surgical cervical HSIL treatment validated by an international Phase III clinical study with proven efficacy; The response rate increased by 89.4% compared to the placebo control group, with a low incidence of adverse events; The China new drug application submission is expected in Q2 2024, while ex-China product development is in active progress. SHANGHAI, March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Asieris Pharmaceuticals (Stock Code: 688176.SH), a global biopharmaceutical leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative drugs for genitourinary tumors and related diseases announced that the multicenter Phase III global clinical study data of its non-surgical treatment for cervical HSIL product APL-1702 demonstrated significant efficacy and good safety profile, with new advancements in clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18. Key data from the study were presented in oral presentations at the 2024 European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia (EUROGIN) Congress and the 2024 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting. APL-1702 is a pioneering cold light photodynamic drug-device combination product, used as a non-surgical therapy for treating cervical HSIL. This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled multicenter Phase III global clinical study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APL-1702 for the treatment of cervical HSIL. Primary endpoint of the study is the proportion of responders at 6 months after the initial treatment. The study is led by Dr. Jinghe Lang, an academician at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Response is defined as the conversion of cervical epithelial tissue pathology to normal or the conversion to low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) while achieving baseline HPV clearance. According to the study results, between November 2020 and July 2022, a total of 402 eligible patients from various countries including China, Germany, the Netherlands et al. were randomized and enrolled in this study. The response rate in the APL-1702 treatment group showed a statistically significant improvement of 89.4% (41.1% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.0001) compared to that in the placebo control group, indicating a remarkable therapeutic effect. Additionally, APL-1702 showed an improved clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18, with a 103.9% increase in the APL-1702 treatment group compared to the control group (31.4% vs. 15.4%)[1]. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was comparable between the treatment group and the control group, with the majority being mild and self-healing without requiring intervention. The occurrence rates of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were both low in both groups[2]. According to the "Global Cancer Statistics 2020" report, there were 604,127 new cases of cervical cancer in women worldwide in 2020, with 341,831 deaths, ranking it as the fourth most common cancer among women. Cervical cancer incidence ranks second among malignant tumors in Chinese women. According to the "National Cancer Report 2024" released by the National Cancer Center, there were 150,700 new cases of cervical cancer in China in 2022, with 55,700 deaths from cervical cancer. The main cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to precancerous lesions of the cervix. Approximately 25% of individuals with HSIL may progress to invasive cervical cancer within 10 years[3]. According to Frost Sullivan analysis, it is projected that by 2030, the number of HSIL patients worldwide and in China will reach 16.6 million and 2.2 million, respectively. With the increasing popularity of dual-cancer screening and cervical cytology tests, more and more patients with cervical precancerous lesions are being detected at early stages before cancer develops, and it is expected that the number of patients will continue to increase. Women with cervical precancerous lesions have unmet clinical needs for non-surgical therapies. Currently, invasive procedures such as loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization remain the primary treatment options for high-grade cervical lesions. However, these surgical treatments are associated with adverse reactions including bleeding, infection, and cervical structural damage, which may lead to complications such as preterm birth and miscarriage. Furthermore, cervical precancerous lesions require long-term monitoring and management because even after surgical treatment, there is a risk of persistent disease or recurrence, with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to the general population (5 times higher risk of invasive cancer within 10 years). Therefore, post-operative follow-up for at least 25 years is necessary. Importantly, if cervical precancerous lesions recur, subsequent surgical interventions become more challenging and carry higher risks, potentially resulting in total hysterectomy. Thus, early surgical intervention increases the difficulty of long-term management. Non-surgical therapies that preserve the intact cervix and avoid or delay cervical trauma are of significant importance for the long-term management of patients with cervical precancerous lesions. Professor Chen Fei, Chief Physician of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, expressed her delight with the research findings, stating, "I am extremely pleased with the results of this study. Treating HSIL serves as the final barrier against cervical cancer. Previous international studies on HSIL have not been successful, but this study, utilizing a multicenter trial design and strict definition of efficacy endpoints, has achieved positive results, which is no easy feat. As a clinician, I have encountered many HSIL patients who desire to preserve their intact cervix while receiving treatment. The emergence of APL-1702 will fulfill the wishes of these patients, allowing them to avoid or delay cervical trauma to the maximum extent possible." Professor Qiao Youlin, a member of the WHO Global Expert Group for Cervical Cancer Elimination and a professor at the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, believes that in addition to vaccination and screening, treatment of cervical precancerous lesions is a crucial component of secondary prevention for cervical cancer. However, progress in the field of medication for cervical precancerous lesions has been relatively slow, with high barriers to overcome, and there are currently no approved treatment drugs worldwide. "It is gratifying to see the emergence of innovative products like APL-1702, which simultaneously possess clinical value in addressing the treatment gap, public health value in cervical cancer prevention and control, and social value in promoting fertility-friendly options. This breakthrough will safeguard women's health and make a positive contribution to the acceleration of the 2030 global and Chinese action plans for cervical cancer elimination". Dr. Linda Wu, Chief Development Officer of Asieris Pharmaceuticals, said, "We are extremely proud of the results from the international multicenter Phase III clinical study of APL-1702. The study not only demonstrates remarkable efficacy but also exhibits a favorable safety profile, offering a new powerful artillery for the national cervical cancer prevention and control system. We express our gratitude to all the patients, physicians, and researchers who participated in this study, as their support and dedication have been invaluable. We are actively preparing the new drug application for APL-1702 and plan to submit it in the second quarter of this year. Additionally, we are making significant progress in product development overseas, aiming to bring this innovative treatment to more patients as soon as possible." References ： EUROGIN: Photodynamic therapy with APL-1702 for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL): results from a randomized phase Ⅲ global study (YHGT-CEV-1/APRICITY) SGO: APL-1702 long-term efficacy and safety for cervical histologic high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL): results from a randomized phase Ⅲ global study Gao Shujun, Sui Long. Standardized management and follow-up of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2020,36(07):604-608. About APL-1702(Cevira ® ) APL-1702(Cevira ®) is a breakthrough photodynamic drug-device combination product that is being developed for non-surgical treatment of high-grade precancerous lesions of the cervix. Cevira ® holds the potential to serve the high unmet medical need for non-invasive treatment options for patients with HSIL in an outpatient setting, especially for young women of reproductive age. Asieris Pharmaceuticals entered into a license agreement with Photocure ASA (Photocure, PHO: OSE) to obtain the worldwide development and commercialization of Cevira ® in July 2019. Cevira ® is a registered trademark of Photocure ASA, based in Oslo, Norway. About Asieris Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010, is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases. We strive to improve human health to preserve patient's dignity. We aim to become a global pharma leader that integrates R&D, manufacturing and commercialization in our areas of focus, as we provide best-in-class integrated diagnosis and treatment solutions for patients in China and worldwide. The company has been developing its proprietary R&D platform and core technologies, exploring new mechanisms of action, and efficiently screening and evaluating drug candidates. With a well-established in-house R&D system and expertise in global drug development, Asieris is committed to launching first-in-class drugs and other innovative products to address huge unmet needs in its areas of focus. Asieris is also enhancing its pipeline for genitourinary diseases via proprietary R&D and strategic partnerships, while closely following cutting-edge technologies and therapeutics. The company strives to discover and identify unmet clinical needs, and adopts a forward-looking approach in product planning and life-cycle management. We aim to establish an outstanding portfolio that covers diagnosis and treatment in a bid to benefit more patients in China and globally. SOURCE Asieris

According to GlobalData, there will be 123,846 cervical cancer cases in the eight major markets (UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, and urban China) by 2030. Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock. Asieris Pharmaceuticals has announced positive data indicating the Phase III trial of its cold light photodynamic drug-device combination Cevira (APL-1702) achieved its primary endpoint in participants with cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). HSIL are precancerous lesions linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to cervical cancer. The results were presented at the 2024 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting in San Diego, US, which was held 16-18 March. Cevira also demonstrated a tolerable safety profile. The therapy stimulates the body’s production of the photosensitiser protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), which selectively accumulates in tumour tissue, and upon exposure to specific wavelengths, triggers tumour cell apoptosis. The primary endpoint, which evaluated the response rate six months after administering Cevira, showed a statistically significant improvement of 89.4% compared to the placebo group. See Also: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories files patent for 6-substituted pyridazine compounds for treating diseases dependent on SMARCA2/SMARCA4 The drug also showed an improved clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18, with a 103.9% increase in the Cevira group compared to placebo. Cevira was developed through Phase I and II clinical trials by Norway-based Photocure ASA, with Asieris gaining commercialisation rights in July 2019. The Phase III trial (NCT04484415) enrolled 402 HSIL patients, defining the primary endpoint of response as the conversion of cervical epithelial tissue pathology to normal, or the conversion to low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) while achieving baseline HPV clearance. Long-lasting infection with certain types of HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection, is the main cause of cervical cancer. If left untreated, HPV can be linked to 95% of cervical cancer cases, according to the World Health Organization. The China-based biotech now plans to submit a new drug application for Cevira in Q2 2024, according to Asieris’ chief development officer Linda Wu. According to a report on GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Center, the number of cervical cancer cases in the eight major markets (UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, and urban China) will reach 123,846 by 2030. GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena. In the announcement accompanying the data, Linda Wu said: “The study not only demonstrates remarkable efficacy but also exhibits a favourable safety profile, offering a new powerful artillery for the national cervical cancer prevention and control system. “Additionally, we are making significant progress in product development overseas, aiming to bring this innovative treatment to more patients as soon as possible.” The company also has other cancer candidates in the pipeline. Earlier this year, a Phase II trial of its repurposed antibiotic drug APL-1202 achieved its primary endpoint in participants with muscular invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The drug is already approved to treat oesophagal squamous cell carcinoma in China and is also being reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat the same type of cancer.

OSLO, Norway, March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO) , the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 688176) has communicated today the Phase III clinical study results for its non-surgical treatment candidate for cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) Cevira® (APL-1702). The results were presented at two recent medical congresses and demonstrated highly statistically significant efficacy and a favorable safety profile for Cevira, with a significant clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18 compared to placebo (p=0.0001). Key data from the international multicenter Phase III trial were presented for the first time last week, in oral presentations at the 2024 European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia (EUROGIN) Congress, March 13-16 in Stockholm, Sweden, and at the 2024 SGO Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, March 16-18 in San Diego, CA, USA. Cevira (APL-1702) is a pioneering photodynamic drug-device combination product used as a non-invasive therapy for treating cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). This study is a large prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled international multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APL-1702 for the treatment of cervical HSIL over 12 months. The primary endpoint of the study is the proportion of responders at 6 months after the initial treatment. Between November 2020 and July 2022, 402 eligible patients from various countries including China, Germany, and the Netherlands were randomized and enrolled in this study. In terms of the primary efficacy endpoint, the response rate in the APL-1702 group was significantly higher than that in the control group, with an increase of 89.4% (41.1% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.0001), which is considered a highly clinically relevant effect. Additionally, APL-1702 showed an improved clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18, with a 103.9% increase in the APL-1702 group compared to the control group (31.4% vs. 15.4%). The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was comparable between the APL-1702 group and the control group, with the majority being mild and self-resolving without requiring intervention. The occurrence rates of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were low in both groups. The current progress involves ongoing communication with regulatory authorities in China and preparing for the submission of the new drug application for APL-1702. Additionally, active efforts are being made to advance development of the product outside of China. "We are very pleased to see the strong results of this randomized controlled Phase III clinical trial in which Cevira (APL-1702) demonstrated clear benefit in patients with HSIL. Based on the results, treatment with Cevira has the potential to fill an unmet clinical need as an alternative to conventional surgical therapies for HSIL", said Anders Neijber, Photocure's Chief Medical Officer. "At present, Photocure teams are supporting Asieris' to prepare the new drug application (NDA) for Cevira (APL-1702) in China, with the goal of bringing this innovative therapy to a larger number of patients as soon as possible." According to the press release, the main cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to precancerous lesions of the cervix. Approximately 25% of individuals with HSIL may progress to invasive cervical cancer within 10 years. Read Asieris' full media release here: Cevira (APL-1702) has potential to become a breakthrough photodynamic drug-device combination product that can offer patients the option of non-surgical treatment of high-grade precancerous lesions of the cervix. Photocure developed Cevira through Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials, and the global rights for development and commercialization were out-licensed to Asieris Meditech Co., Ltd in 2019. Asieris is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases. Note to editors: All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. This press release may contain product details and information which are not valid, or a product is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at , , For further information, please contact: Dan Schneider President and CEO Photocure ASA Email: [email protected] Erik Dahl CFO Photocure ASA Tel: +4745055000 Email: [email protected] David Moskowitz Vice President, Investor Relations Photocure ASA Tel: +1 202 280 0888 Email: [email protected] Media and IR enquiries: Geir Bjørlo Corporate Communications (Norway) Tel: +47 91540000 Email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: