Chi-Med Announces Phase III FALUCA Trial Results for Fruquintinib in Third-Line, Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in China

Hutchison China MediTech (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) today announces the outcome of FALUCA, its Phase III trial of fruquintinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients in China who have failed two lines of systemic chemotherapy. The trial did not meet the primary endpoint to demonstrate a statistically significant increase in overall survival compared to placebo.

As quoted in the press release:

Fruquintinib demonstrated, in FALUCA, a statistically significant improvement in all secondary endpoints including progression-free survival (“PFS”), objective response rate (“ORR”), disease control rate (“DCR”) and duration of response (“DoR”) as compared to the placebo. The safety profile of the trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical studies. Full detailed results are expected to be disclosed at an upcoming scientific meeting.

“While the study demonstrates a significant reduction in disease progression in this challenging lung cancer patient population, we are disappointed that this benefit did not translate into an increase in overall survival,” commented Simon To, Chairman of Chi-Med. He added, “We remain confident that the high selectivity and lower off-target toxicities of fruquintinib are major points of differentiation. The recent first approval of fruquintinib monotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer, the imminent launch in China, and the commencement of several combination collaborations with immunotherapies both in China and in the U.S., reinforces our belief in fruquintinib.”

Click here to read the full press release.