Servier sealed a collaboration and license agreement with the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIMM) for the development of lucitanib in China, a promising targeted antitumor drug with antiangiogenic effects on September 13,

The aim of the present agreement between SIMM and Servier is to provide evidence of the clinical benefits of lucitanib in specific Chinese indications through national clinical studies involving Haihe Pharmaceuticals, a local pharmaceutical company created by SIMM. 

SIMM will conduct specific research in biomarkers and support Servier regarding the participation of China in international clinical studies. Under the terms of this agreement, SIMM and Servier will be co-owners of the marketing authorizations for China. 

Lucitanib (International Nonproprietary Name) is a kinase inhibitor which targets fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-2 (FGFR1-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1-3 (VEGFR-1-3). This unique activity profile confers on lucitanib specific antitumor activity in FGFR1-2 dependent tumors and a strong antiangiogenic effect.

Dr. Jean-Philippe Seta, CEO at Servier World declared, “Lucitanib has a high therapeutic potential for cancer, and we are proud to work now with SIMM to bring such an innovation to Chinese patients. The pattern of our coming collaboration is unique since it will embrace global and national study programs, clinical development and biomarker research.”

Prof. GENG Meiyu, deputy director of SIMM, declared “With its tyrosine kinases inhibition profile, lucitanib is a good candidate for targeted therapy and personalized medicine. It is therefore of importance to include biomarker development programs in our collaboration with Servier.”

Results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology 2012 Congress on the breast cancer cohort of a Phase-I study put lucitanib firmly on the list of the most promising breakthroughs in oncology. In September of the same year, Servier acquired the worldwide rights for lucitanib except for China, Japan and the United States. 

Servier is the leading independent French pharmaceutical company, established in 1954 by its founder, Jacques Servier, M.D., Pharm.D. The group is established in 140 countries and 92% of Servier products are prescribed out of France. Its principal therapeutic research orientations are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neuropsychiatric disorders, cancer, and osteoarticular diseases.