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Health Hope Pharma (HHP), a clinical-stage oncology biopharma company headquartered in Hong Kong, has entered into a global licensing and collaboration agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences, Inc. for encequidar, a first-in-class P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor in the field of virology.
HHP is currently exploring the potential of using encequidar to develop oral drug formulations across multiple fields. The most advanced programme of HHP is oral paclitaxel combined with encequidar in the field of oncology, targeting to replace intravenous paclitaxel in chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.
HHP targets to recruit the first patients for its global phase III clinical study for sites in the US and Hong Kong SAR, respectively, by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Under the agreement, HHP and Hanmi Pharm will grant Gilead exclusive global rights to encequidar within the field of virology. In addition, HHP and Hanmi will provide drug supply, share technical know-how, and participate as key project partners. HHP and Hanmi will each receive an upfront payment and are eligible to receive development, regulatory and sales milestones in addition to low single-digit royalties on net sales.
HHP is preparing for the commencement of global clinical trials of oral paclitaxel combined with encequidar in the US, Hong Kong SAR, and New Zealand, with plans to launch the product in Europe, Asia, and the US.
