OREANDA-NEWS. Amgen and R-Pharm announced a new licensing and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize AMG 337 in Russia. AMG 337 is a small molecule inhibitor of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) currently being investigated in Phase 1 studies as a treatment for gastric and other cancers.

Under the terms of the agreement, R-Pharm will lead commercialization of AMG 337 in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and will retain an option to co-commercialize in Turkey. Amgen will retain the option to co-commercialize in Russia. The agreement also contemplates that, under certain circumstances, the parties may co-promote AMG102, another Amgen compound being developed for gastric cancer, in Russia, CIS and Turkey.

“Given R-Pharm’s capabilities and reputation, Amgen believes this collaboration improves the potential to bring our early-stage therapeutic to patients in Russia and surrounding areas, as well as expands our presence in this important region. We are very pleased that the collaboration will be directed towards R&D for gastric cancer since this is a disease with such a high unmet need in Russia and the CIS’’ said Victoria Anashkina, general manager of Russia & CIS at Amgen.

“According to the World Health Organization, there is one of the highest death-rate in Russia due to oncological deseases, in particular gastric cancer. Partnership with Amgen, an industry leader in development of high-efficient oncology medicial products, will give the unestimable results in fight against this serious disease. Joint companies’ efforts help us further demonstrate our commitment to bringing innovative onology medicines to patients and bring affordable innovative methods of treatment to Russian patients”, - said Alexey Repik, Chairman of the Board “R-Pharm” CJSC.