Athenex Announces Acceptance of Phase II Data of KX2-391 for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis for Presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology Meeting on February 17, 2018

BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2017 -- Athenex, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, today announced that an abstract for the data from the Phase II study of KX2-391 in 168 patients with actinic keratosis has been accepted for oral presentation and online ePoster at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego on February 17, 2018. The abstract is entitled “Phase II Study of KX2-391 Ointment 1%, a Novel Field Treatment Based on Src/Tubulin Polymerization Inhibition, for Actinic Keratosis”.

KX2-391, also known as KX-01, is a novel dual Src kinase and tubulin polymerization inhibitor that Athenex is developing into a topical formulation for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition in fair-skinned people that is induced through ultra-violet light damage, resulting in patches of thick, scaly, or crusty skin. Left untreated, the lesions have up to a 20% risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma, so treatment by a dermatologist is generally recommended. A Phase I study showed KX2-391/KX-01 to be active in the treatment of actinic keratosis, resulting in 100% clearance in some of the patients. More importantly, the severe local skin reaction typically seen with other types of field treatments were uncommon in the patients treated with KX2-391/KX01. Two Phase III registration studies are ongoing in the US.

About Athenex, Inc.

Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leader in the discovery and development of next generation drugs for the treatment of cancer. Athenex is organized around three platforms, including an Oncology Innovation Platform, a Commercial Platform and a Global Supply Chain Platform. Athenex’s Oncology Innovation Platform generates clinical candidates through an extensive understanding of kinases, including novel binding sites and human absorption biology, as well as through the application of Athenex’s proprietary research and selection processes in the lab. The Company’s current clinical pipeline is derived from two different platform technologies Athenex calls Orascovery and Src Kinase Inhibition. The Orascovery platform is based on the novel oral P-glycoprotein pump inhibitor molecule HM30181A, through which Athenex is able to facilitate oral absorption of traditional cytotoxics, which Athenex believes may offer improved patient tolerability and efficacy as compared to IV administration of the same cytotoxics. The Orascovery platform was developed by Hanmi Pharmaceuticals and licensed exclusively to Athenex for all major worldwide territories except Korea, which is retained by Hanmi. The Src Kinase Inhibition platform refers to novel small molecule compounds that have multiple mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of the activity of Src Kinase and the inhibition of tubulin polymerization during cell division. Athenex believes the combination of these mechanisms of action provides a broader range of anti-cancer activity as compared to either mechanism of action alone. Athenex’s employees worldwide are dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by creating more active and tolerable treatments. Athenex has offices in Buffalo and Clarence, New York; Cranford, New Jersey; Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Hong Kong; Taipei, Taiwan and multiple locations in Chongqing, China.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer/Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the development stage of our primary clinical candidates and related risks involved in drug development, clinical trials, regulation, manufacturing and commercialization; our need to raise additional capital; competition; intellectual property risks; risks relating to doing business in China; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings, copies of which are available for free in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://ir.athenex.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=254495&p=irol-sec or upon request from our Investor Relations Department. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

CONTACT:
Jim Polson
Tel: +1-312-553-6730

Athenex, Inc.