SUZHOU, China, Jan. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — CStone Pharmaceuticals (“CStone” or the “Company”, HKEX: 2616) announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase III GEMSTONE-304 study of the Company’s anti-PD-L1 antibody CS1001 in combination therapy as first-line treatment in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The GEMSTONE-304 trial is a multicenter clinical study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CS1001 in combination with 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FP) doublet chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced, relapsed, or metastatic ESCC.

According to the GLOBOCAN data released in 2018, there are approximately 307,000 new incidences of esophageal cancer and 283,000 cases of esophageal cancer-related deaths in China annually. The incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer are ranked 5^th and 4^th respectively among all tumor types nationwide. Epidemiological data indicate that 90% of all esophageal cancer cases in China are ESCC, and around 70% of ESCC cases were locally advanced or metastatic at the time of diagnosis. The platinum-based doublet chemotherapy is the current standard of care first-line treatment for patients with advanced ESCC, but it has limited efficacy. Existing data on this first-line treatment for advanced ESCC suggest an objective response rate (ORR) of 35%, a median progression-free survival (PFS) of less than six months, and a median overall survival (OS) of less than one year. There are no alternative treatments for ESCC patients who have failed the first-line treatment.

CS1001 is an investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody developed by CStone. Results released at the 2019 Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Annual Meeting have shown that, as of July 1, 2019, the Phase Ib trial of CS1001 in combination with the FP chemotherapy regimen in first-line treatment of ESCC achieved an ORR of 77.8% with durable response as well as good overall safety and tolerability.

“Esophageal cancer is one of the tumor types that are particularly prevalent in China, with over 50% of the world’s new esophageal cancer cases and related deaths occurring in the country. Furthermore, the lack of more effective treatments for this patient population has long represented an urgent unmet clinical need,” said Dr. Frank Jiang, Chairman and CEO of CStone. “I am glad that we have dosed the first patient in the GEMSTONE-304 trial. I hope CS1001 will continue to demonstrate its clinical promise in its development programs, and soon be proven as a new treatment option for ESCC patients in China.”

“Early symptoms of esophageal cancer are relatively silent; as a result, esophageal cancer patients are commonly diagnosed at advanced stages for which there are very limited treatment options. Furthermore, no immunotherapy has been approved for the first-line treatment of ESCC. Recent results from the Phase Ib trial of CS1001 have already demonstrated promising preliminary antitumor efficacy in advanced ESCC. We will continue accelerate this Phase III trial with our best effort. Should this clinical program lead to successful outcomes, it will be a major breakthrough for advanced ESCC patients who are in urgent need of effective therapies,” noted Dr. Jason Yang, Chief Medical Officer of CStone.

About CS1001

CS1001 is an investigational monoclonal antibody directed against PD-L1 being developed by CStone. Authorized by the U.S. based Ligand Corporation, CS1001 is developed by the OMT transgenic animal platform, which can generate fully human antibodies in one step. As a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, CS1001 mirrors natural G-type immune globulin 4 (IgG4) human antibody, which can reduce the risk of immunogenicity and potential toxicities in patients, potentially representing a unique advantage over similar drugs.

CS1001 has completed a Phase 1 dose-escalation study in China, in which the drug showed good tolerability. During Phase 1a and 1b stages of the study, CS1001 produced sustained clinical benefits in multiple tumor types.

CS1001 is being investigated in a number of ongoing clinical trials, including one Phase 1 bridging study in the U.S. In China, its clinical program includes one multi-arm Phase 1b study, two pivotal Phase 2 studies, and four Phase 3 studies for several tumor types.

About CStone

CStone Pharmaceuticals (HKEX: 2616) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative immuno-oncology and precision medicines to address the unmet medical needs of cancer patients in China and worldwide. Established in 2015, CStone has assembled a world-class management team with extensive experience in innovative drug development, clinical research, and commercialization. The company has built an oncology-focused pipeline of 15 drug candidates with a strategic emphasis on immuno-oncology combination therapies. Currently, 5 late-stage candidates are at pivotal trials. With an experienced team, a rich pipeline, a robust clinical development-driven business model and substantial funding, CStone’s vision is to become globally recognized as a leading Chinese biopharmaceutical company by bringing innovative oncology therapies to cancer patients worldwide.

For more information about CStone Pharmaceuticals, please visit: www.cstonepharma.com