Ropeginterferon alfa-2b-NJFT

BURLINGTON, Mass.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--PharmaEssentia Corporation (TWSE: 6446), a global biopharmaceutical innovator based in Taiwan leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles to deliver new biologics in hematology and oncology, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with FORUS Therapeutics Inc (“FORUS”) for the registration and distribution of BESREMi ® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft) for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV), in Canada. FORUS focuses on the hematology and oncology market in Canada, with extensive experience in local drug registration and commercialization. Under the terms of the agreement, PharmaEssentia is licensing BESREMi for PV to FORUS in Canada, with potential expansion to other investigational myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) indications in the future. FORUS will oversee the drug registration and commercialization of BESREMi in Canada, with potential milestone payments of up to $107 million USD – including for securing approval of BESREMi in PV and meeting sales milestones. FORUS will make a portion of the milestone payments within 2024 and pay PharmaEssentia double-digit percentage royalties on sales. “FORUS and PharmaEssentia are aligned in our missions to bring new treatments to patients with hematologic and oncologic conditions that may meaningfully enhance their lives,” said Ko-Chung Lin, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of PharmaEssentia. “We continue to expand scientific data to demonstrate the clinical value of BESREMi for patients with MPNs such as PV, and we look forward to collaborating with FORUS to introduce BESREMi in Canada, to expand our footprint in North America and to benefit even more patients with PV.” “Strategic partnerships pave the way to unlocking innovation and advancing healthcare solutions,” said Kevin Leshuk, President and CEO of FORUS. “We are extremely pleased and honored to be partnering with PharmaEssentia so that we can deliver potentially transformative outcomes for those living with PV and hopefully other hematologic conditions in the future.” BESREMi has been approved for the treatment of PV in approximately 40 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, China, and the European Union. About PharmaEssentia PharmaEssentia (TWSE: 6446), headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a global and rapidly growing biopharmaceutical innovator. Leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles, PharmaEssentia aims to deliver effective new biologics for challenging diseases in the areas of hematology, oncology, and immunology with one approved product and a diversifying pipeline. Founded in 2003 by a team of Taiwanese-American executives and renowned scientists from U.S. biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today PharmaEssentia is expanding its global presence with operations in the U.S., Japan, China, and Korea, along with a world-class biologics production facility in Taichung, Taiwan. For more information about PharmaEssentia USA, visit the website , LinkedIn or Twitter . About FORUS Therapeutics FORUS Therapeutics is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing differentiated, novel medicines for hematologic malignancies and other forms of cancer. Our mission is to bring solutions to cancer patients, caregivers, physicians and our partners by accelerating unique and important treatments that meaningfully enhance life. www.forustherapeutics.com About Polycythemia Vera (PV) Polycythemia vera (PV) is a cancer originating from a disease-initiating stem cell in the bone marrow resulting in a chronic increase of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. PV may result in cardiovascular complications such as thrombosis and embolism, and often transforms to secondary myelofibrosis or leukemia. While the molecular mechanism underlying PV is still subject of intense research, current results point to a set of acquired mutations, the most important being a mutant form of JAK2. 1 About BESREMi ® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft) BESREMi is an innovative monopegylated, long-acting interferon. With its unique pegylation technology, BESREMi has a long duration of activity in the body and is aimed to be administered once every two weeks (or every four weeks with hematological stability for at least one year), allowing flexible dosing that helps meet the individual needs of patients. BESREMi has orphan drug designation for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV) in adults in the United States. BESREMi has been approved in more than 40 countries, with approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2019, by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021, and by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan in 2023. It was invented by PharmaEssentia and is manufactured in the company’s Taichung plant, which was cGMP certified by TFDA in 2017 and by EMA in January 2018. PharmaEssentia retains full global intellectual property rights for the product in all indications. BESREMi was approved with a boxed warning for risk of serious disorders including aggravation of neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic and infectious disorders. Please see full Prescribing Information , including Boxed Warning. Indication BESREMi is indicated for the treatment of adults with polycythemia vera. Important Safety Information WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS DISORDERS Interferon alfa products may cause or aggravate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, and infectious disorders. Patients should be monitored closely with periodic clinical and laboratory evaluations. Therapy should be withdrawn in patients with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of these conditions. In many, but not all cases, these disorders resolve after stopping therapy. CONTRAINDICATIONS Existence of, or history of severe psychiatric disorders, particularly severe depression, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempt Hypersensitivity to interferons including interferon alfa-2b or any of the inactive ingredients of BESREMi. Moderate (Child-Pugh B) or severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment History or presence of active serious or untreated autoimmune disease Immunosuppressed transplant recipients WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Depression and Suicide: Life-threatening or fatal neuropsychiatric reactions have occurred in patients receiving interferon alfa-2b products, including BESREMi. These reactions may occur in patients with and without previous psychiatric illness. Other central nervous system effects, including suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, aggression, bipolar disorder, mania and confusion have been observed with other interferon alfa products. Closely monitor patients for any symptoms of psychiatric disorders and consider psychiatric consultation and treatment if such symptoms emerge. If psychiatric symptoms worsen, it is recommended to discontinue BESREMi therapy. Endocrine Toxicity: These toxicities may include worsening hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Do not use BESREMi in patients with active serious or untreated endocrine disorders associated with autoimmune disease. Evaluate thyroid function in patients who develop symptoms suggestive of thyroid disease during BESREMi therapy. Discontinue BESREMi in patients who develop endocrine disorders that cannot be adequately managed during treatment with BESREMi. Cardiovascular Toxicity: Toxicities may include cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation and coronary artery ischemia. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders should be closely monitored for cardiovascular toxicity during BESREMi therapy. Avoid use of BESREMi in patients with severe or unstable cardiovascular disease, (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure (≥ NYHA class 2), serious cardiac arrhythmia, significant coronary artery stenosis, unstable angina) or recent stroke or myocardial infarction. Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts: These toxicities may include thrombocytopenia (increasing the risk of bleeding), anemia, and leukopenia (increasing the risk of infection). Monitor complete blood counts at baseline, during titration and every 3-6 months during the maintenance phase. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection or bleeding. Hypersensitivity Reactions: Toxicities may include serious, acute hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, anaphylaxis). If such reactions occur, discontinue BESREMi and institute appropriate medical therapy immediately. Transient rashes may not necessitate interruption of treatment. Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis has occurred in 2.2% of patients receiving BESREMi. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, bloating, and fever. Patients may experience elevated lipase, amylase, white blood cell count, or altered renal/hepatic function. Interrupt BESREMi treatment in patients with possible pancreatitis and evaluate promptly. Consider discontinuation of BESREMi in patients with confirmed pancreatitis. Colitis: Fatal and serious ulcerative or hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis have occurred in patients receiving interferon alfa products, some cases starting as early as 12 weeks after start of treatment. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and fever. Discontinue BESREMi in patients who develop these signs or symptoms. Colitis may resolve within 1 to 3 weeks of stopping treatment. Pulmonary Toxicity: Pulmonary toxicity may manifest as dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliterans, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension, and sarcoidosis. Some events have resulted in respiratory failure or death. Discontinue BESREMi in patients who develop pulmonary infiltrates or pulmonary function impairment. Ophthalmologic Toxicity: These toxicities may include severe eye disorders such as retinopathy, retinal hemorrhage, retinal exudates, retinal detachment and retinal artery or vein occlusion which may result in blindness. During BESREMi therapy, 23% of patients were identified with an eye disorder. Eyes disorders ≥5% included cataract (6%) and dry eye (5%). Advise patients to have eye examinations before and during BESREMi therapy, specifically in those patients with a retinopathy-associated disease such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Evaluate eye symptoms promptly. Discontinue BESREMi in patients who develop new or worsening eye disorders. Hyperlipidemia: Elevated triglycerides may result in pancreatitis. Monitor serum triglycerides before BESREMi treatment and intermittently during therapy and manage when elevated. Consider discontinuation of BESREMi in patients with persistently, markedly elevated triglycerides. Hepatotoxicity: These toxicities may include increases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and bilirubin. Liver enzyme elevations have also been reported in patients after long-term BESREMi therapy. Monitor liver enzymes and hepatic function at baseline and during BESREMi treatment. Discontinue BESREMi in patients who develop evidence of hepatic decompensation (characterized by jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome or variceal hemorrhage) during treatment. Renal Toxicity: Monitor serum creatinine at baseline and during therapy. Avoid use of BESREMi in patients with eGFR <30 mL/min. Discontinue BESREMi if severe renal impairment develops during treatment. Dental and Periodontal Toxicity: These toxicities may include dental and periodontal disorders, which may lead to loss of teeth. In addition, dry mouth could have a damaging effect on teeth and mucous membranes of the mouth during long-term treatment with BESREMi. Patients should have good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations. Dermatologic Toxicity: These toxicities have included skin rash, pruritus, alopecia, erythema, psoriasis, xeroderma, dermatitis acneiform, hyperkeratosis, and hyperhidrosis. Consider discontinuation of BESREMi if clinically significant dermatologic toxicity occurs. Driving and Operating Machinery: BESREMi may impact the ability to drive and use machinery. Patients should not drive or use heavy machinery until they know how BESREMi affects their abilities. Patients who experience dizziness, somnolence or hallucination during BESREMi therapy should avoid driving or using machinery. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on the mechanism of action, BESREMi can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Pregnancy testing is recommended in females of reproductive potential prior to treatment with BESREMi. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with BESREMi and for at least 8 weeks after the final dose. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions reported in > 40% of patients in the PEGINVERA study (n=51) were influenza-like illness, arthralgia, fatigue, pruritis, nasopharyngitis, and musculoskeletal pain. In the pooled safety population (n=178), the most common adverse reactions greater than 10%, were liver enzyme elevations (20%), leukopenia (20%), thrombocytopenia (19%), arthralgia (13%), fatigue (12%), myalgia (11%), and influenza-like illness (11%). DRUG INTERACTIONS Patients on BESREMi who are receiving concomitant drugs which are CYP450 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index should be monitored to inform the need for dosage modification for these concomitant drugs. Avoid use with myelosuppressive agents and monitor patients receiving the combination for effects of excessive myelosuppression. Avoid use with narcotics, hypnotics or sedatives and monitor patients receiving the combination for effects of excessive CNS toxicity. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy: Based on mechanism of action and the role of interferon alfa in pregnancy and fetal development, BESREMi may cause fetal harm and should be assumed to have abortifacient potential when administered to a pregnant woman. There are adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes associated with polycythemia vera in pregnancy. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Lactation: There are no data on the presence of BESREMi in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children from BESREMi, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 8 weeks after the final dose. Females of Reproductive Potential: BESREMi may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Pregnancy testing prior to BESREMi treatment is recommended for females of reproductive potential. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BESREMi and for at least 8 weeks after the final dose. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use: In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other therapy. Forward Looking Statement This press release may contain forward looking statements, including statements regarding the clinical benefits to be derived from ropeginterferon alfa-2b, the commercial opportunity and competitive positioning, new indications or labeling for ropeginterferon alfa-2b, and business prospects for ropeginterferon alfa-2b. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar legislation and regulations under Taiwanese law. These forward-looking statements are based on management expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release, and actual results may differ materially from those in these forward looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include whether BESREMi is successfully commercialized and adopted by physicians and patients, the extent to which reimbursement is available for BESREMi, and the ability to receive FDA and other regulatory approvals for additional indications for BESREMi. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. © 2024 PharmaEssentia Corporation. All rights reserved. PharmaEssentia, the PharmaEssentia logo, and BESREMi are trademarks or registered trademarks of PharmaEssentia Corporation. 1 Cerquozzi S, Tefferi A. Blast transformation and fibrotic progression in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: a literature review of incidence and risk factors. Blood Cancer J . 2015;5, e366; DOI:10.1038/bcj.2015.95

Amoytop to sponsor a Phase 1b exploratory clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ALG-000184 in combination with PEGBING® (Mipeginterferon alfa-2b) in CHB patients SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGS, “Aligos”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in liver and viral diseases, today announced that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement with Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd. (“Amoytop”). Under the terms of the agreement, Amoytop will sponsor and perform a Phase 1b exploratory clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ALG-000184 in combination with PEGBING® (Mipeginterferon alfa-2b) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in China. The clinical study is expected to begin after approval by the National Medical Products Administration in China. “We are pleased to build on our existing relationship with Amoytop, as they have proven to be a valuable partner,” stated Lawrence Blatt, Ph.D., MBA, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Aligos Therapeutics. “We look forward to initiating this exploratory study to evaluate the combination of ALG-000184 with PEGBING®, one of the approved drugs for CHB patients in China, to assess the potential benefits of a combinatory approach.” ALG-000184 is a potent best/first-in-class oral small molecule capsid assembly modulator (CAM-E) being developed for CHB. It is designed to exploit the dual role of CAMs by disrupting hepatitis B cccDNA levels and its derived transcripts by reducing expression of viral markers such as DNA, RNA, and the relevant antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcrAg). Phase 1a studies have demonstrated after single and multiple daily doses that ALG-000184 was well-tolerated, with no safety signals observed, and demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics (PK) and excellent antiviral activity. In longer term Phase 1b studies of ALG-000184 300mg x ≤96 weeks ± entecavir (ETV), ALG-000184 monotherapy has demonstrated best-in-class reductions in HBV DNA, RNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcrAg without viral breakthrough to date. PEGBING®, independently developed by Amoytop, is the world's first 40kD pegylated interferon α-2b injection. With dual effects of inhibiting viral replication and enhancing immunity, PEGBING® is mainly used in the clinical treatment of viral hepatitis and is the first-line drug for the antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B, which plays an important role in improving the clinical cure rate of hepatitis B and reducing the risk of liver cancer. “We are pleased to deepen our cooperation in the field of liver disease treatment and look forward to working together to provide a new treatment solution for patients in need,” said Sun Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Amoytop. “Amoytop is committed to further optimizing the chronic hepatitis B combination treatment pathway and hopes that the cooperation will lead to better clinical value drugs and drug combinations.” The Phase 1b study will be a randomized, double blinded, active controlled study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of oral once daily doses of 300 mg ALG-000184 + PEGBING® + entecavir (ETV) compared with 300 mg ALG-000184 + ETV or PEGBING® + ETV in treatment naïve or currently-not-treated HBeAg-positive and nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) suppressed HBeAg-negative subjects with CHB for 48 weeks. About Aligos Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that was founded in 2018 with the mission to become a world leader in the treatment of liver and viral diseases. Aligos’ strategy is to harness the deep expertise and decades of drug development experience its team has in liver and viral diseases to discover and develop potentially best-in-class therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and viruses with high unmet medical need such as hepatitis B and coronaviruses. For more information, please visit www.aligos.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X. About Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd. Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd. is an innovative biopharmaceutical company and a listed company on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (SSE STAR Market) in China, specializing in R&D, manufacturing and marketing of regular and long-acting recombinant protein drugs. Focusing on the R&D of immune-related cytokine medicines, Amoytop is committed to becoming a leader in solving cytokine medicine-based systemic immune problems, providing better solutions for major diseases (such as viral hepatitis, malignant tumors) and immunotherapy. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be considered “forward-looking statements,” including, without limitation, statements regarding Aligos’ financial results and performance as well as research and development activities, including regulatory status and the timing of announcements and updates relating to our regulatory filings and clinical trials. Such forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our development programs, future results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including Aligos’ clinical stage of development, the process of designing and conducting clinical trials, the regulatory approval processes, and other matters that could affect the sufficiency of Aligos’ capital resources to fund operations. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Aligos in general, see Aligos’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2024 and its future periodic reports to be filed or submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Aligos undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Aligos Therapeutics Investor Contact Jordyn TaraziVice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications+1 (650) 910-0427jtarazi@aligos.com Media Contact Michael FitzhughLifeSci Communicationsmfitzhugh@lifescicomms.com Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd. Investor Contact Liu Peiyu联系电话：86592-6889118邮箱：ir@amoytop.com Media Contact Wu Xueyan联系电话：86592-6889127邮箱：wxy@amoytop.com