The Avillion Group (Avillion) has entered into an exclusive collaborative development agreement with Pfizer Inc. to conduct a global phase 3 clinical trial of Pfizer’s Bosulif (bosutinib).

The trial, which will be conducted across multiple sites in the United States, Asia and Europe, will evaluate Bosulif, administered at a starting dose level of 400 mg daily, as a first-line treatment for patients with chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML).

Under the terms of the agreement, Avillion will provide the funding for and will conduct the trial to generate the clinical data necessary to potentially support a registration dossier for marketing authorization of Bosulif by regulatory authorities for an indication as first-line treatment of patients with chronic phase Ph+ CML. If approved for this indication, Avillion will be eligible to receive milestone payments from Pfizer upon regulatory approval of the drug. Pfizer will retain all rights to commercialize Bosulif globally.

"We are delighted to announce Avillion’s agreement with Pfizer, a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, and we look forward to working with them with the goal of advancing the development of BOSULIF and expanding its availability to a broader range of CML patients,” said Lewis Cameron, CEO of Avillion. “Avillion offers pharmaceutical and biotech companies a compelling option to partner late-stage drug development projects. We have an experienced team focused on global drug development and regulatory approval, with the capability to optimise contract research organization (CRO) management.”

“Chronic myelogenous leukemia remains a difficult disease to treat despite recent advances,” said Garry Nicholson, president and general manager, Pfizer Oncology. “Today, the distinct tolerability profile of Bosulif offers physicians an important therapeutic choice for their patients with Ph+ CML, as has already been shown in patients who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy. Through our collaboration with Avillion, we plan to expand the development of Bosulif by exploring its potential benefit as a first-line therapy for patients with CML.”

Bosulif is an oral, once-daily, TKI which inhibits the Bcr-Abl kinase that promotes CML; it is also an inhibitor of Src-family kinases. Bosulif is currently approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with Ph+ CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy and offers an important treatment option for these patients. In Europe, Bosulif was granted conditional marketing authorization for the treatment of adult patients with Ph+ CML previously treated with one or more TKIs and for whom imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib are not considered appropriate treatment options.

Avillion is a drug development company with an innovative business model for the clinical development and approval of late stage pharmaceutical products.