HUTCHMED Reports 2023 Interim Results and Provides Business Updates

 

Strong execution on strategic direction, delivering near-term value while charting a path for growth, exemplified by global partnership with Takeda

 

Revenue grew 164% (173% CER) to US$533 million, with net income to HUTCHMED of US$169 million (which include US$259 million of the upfront recognized from Takeda)

 

Company to Host Interim Results Call & Webcast Today at 8 p.m. HKT / 1 p.m. BST / 8 a.m. EDT

 

Company to host a Capital Markets Day in Q4 this year

 

Hong Kong, Shanghai & Florham Park, NJ - Monday, July 31, 2023: HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED", the "Company" or "we") (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM; HKEX: 13), the innovative, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, today reports its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and provides updates on key clinical and commercial developments.

 

All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

 

Strategic: clinical, financial, and regulatory progress demonstrates strong delivery on the strategy

 

·      Focusing on driving near-term value creation and establishing a self-sustaining business over the long term, with the goal of bringing innovative medicines to patients around the world.

·      Significant progress towards bringing medicines to patients outside China through global partnerships: closed fruquintinib license agreement with Takeda^[1] in March, which can potentially bring in up to $1.13 billion in payments including $400 million upfront payment received, plus royalties on net sales.

 

Product & pipeline: fruquintinib advancing to global launches, with continued progress across portfolio

 

·      NDA^[2] for fruquintinib granted priority review by the U.S. FDA^[3], with a PDUFA^[4] goal date of November 30, 2023. Takeda preparing for fruquintinib launches worldwide with MAA^[5] validated by the EMA^[6] in June and the Japan NDA submission planned this year. Global regulatory filings supported by results from FRESCO-2, recently published in The Lancet, and data from FRESCO.

·      Fruquintinib NDA for second-line gastric cancer accepted in China, where fruquintinib is available and reimbursed under the brand name ELUNATE^® for the treatment of metastatic CRC^[7]; Breakthrough Therapy Designation in endometrial cancer.

·      All three HUTCHMED medicines marketed in China now included in the NRDL^[8].

·      Registration study readouts expected in the second half for two potential new medicines in China, sovleplenib and amdizalisib. New registration studies initiated for savolitinib in gastric cancer and HMPL‑453 for IHCC^[9]; over 15 registration studies ongoing, across seven drug candidates.

·      Productive discovery research continues, with another novel drug candidate in clinical development (SHP2^[10] inhibitor HMPL-415).

 

Financial: HUTCHMED remains on track to become self-sustaining in 2025

 

·      Total revenues up 164% (173% at CER^[11]) to $532.9 million for the first half of 2023, with Oncology/Immunology consolidated revenues up 294% (301% at CER) to $359.2 million.

·      Strategy has allowed HUTCHMED to conserve cash and significantly reduce costs, with a substantial cash balance of $856.2 million on June 30, 2023 including $400 million received from Takeda.

·      $258.7 million of the Takeda upfront payment recognized as revenue in the first half of 2023, resulting in net income of $168.6 million; we expect to recognize approximately $280 million of this payment for the full year.

·      R&D^[12] expenses decreased primarily due to our portfolio optimization efforts, while the reduction in SG&A expenses^[13] was mainly due to decreased administrative expenses after restructuring our U.S. operations.

 

 

2023 Interim Results & Business Updates

 

Mr Simon To, Executive Chairman of HUTCHMED, said, "The first half of 2023 has been successful for HUTCHMED. In late 2022, we announced our pipeline prioritization plan and intention to seek global partners to bring our medicines to help patients outside of China. Six months later, this strategy is already delivering significant results to our operations. We are successfully navigating the current challenging capital markets, while making significant progress towards our goal of becoming a self-sustaining, truly global biopharma company. Crucially, it means that we are well positioned to reach more patients than ever with our medicines."

 

"In March, we closed a licensing deal for fruquintinib with Takeda and we are confident that they have the commitment, expertise, and commercial infrastructure to successfully roll out this innovative medicine to patients across the globe. The FDA Priority Review PDUFA date for fruquintinib is now set for November 30 this year, reflecting its potential to deliver significant improvement over currently available treatments."

 

Dr Weiguo Su, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of HUTCHMED, said, "With the sharpening of our goals and priorities, we now have more resources to advance our assets and drive near-term value, and we are pleased to report on the important progress made so far this year. We have over 15 registration/registration-intent studies ongoing with seven drug candidates. Alongside this, our team has presented data at a number of leading medical conferences, including AACR^[14], ASCO^[15], ASCO GI^[16], EHA^[17] and ICML^[18], showcasing the productivity of our world class R&D engine. Furthermore, commercial performance has remained strong this year, with robust sales growth of our in-house developed oncology products in China. All three marketed medicines are now included on the NRDL, in line with our commitment to patient access. Moreover, our strategy means we are in a strong financial position as we look to continue developing our clinical programs. We started the second half of 2023 with $856 million in cash resources, including the $400 million received from Takeda."

 

"HUTCHMED is now well placed for further successful product launches and life cycle extensions. In particular, we look forward to continuing the positive momentum with fruquintinib regulatory reviews around the world, and readouts from our registration studies for sovleplenib and amdizalisib later this year. As the last six months have shown, HUTCHMED clearly has the right strategy, leadership team, and vision to become a truly global biopharma, and I am confident that HUTCHMED will continue to deliver on this potential." 

 

 

 

I. COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

 

Total revenues increased 164% (173% at CER) to $532.9 million in the first half of 2023 (H1-22: $202.0m), driven by Oncology/Immunology partnering, its strong commercial progress in China, and growth in third-party distribution sales.

 

Oncology/Immunology consolidated revenues were up 294% (301% at CER) to $359.2 million (H1-22: $91.1m); driven by recognition of $258.7 million in partnering revenue for the upfront payment from Takeda, and our strong product sales growth resulting from in-market sales^[19] up 16% (25% at CER) to $101.3 million (H1‑22: $87.4m);

 

·      ELUNATE^® (fruquintinib) in-market sales in the first half of 2023 increased 12% (20% at CER) to $56.3 million (H1-22: $50.4m), reflecting its continued lead in market share;

·      SULANDA^® (surufatinib) in-market sales in the first half of 2023 increased 66% (79% at CER) to $22.6 million (H1-22: $13.6m), reflecting the build-up in patients on treatment over 18 months on the NRDL;

·      ORPATHYS^® (savolitinib) in-market sales in the first half of 2023 decreased 5% (increased 2% at CER) to $22.0 million (H1-22: $23.3m). Sales in the first quarter were impacted by customary channel fluctuations ahead of its NRDL inclusion on March 1, subsequently followed by an increase in sales volume, with the second quarter of 2023 up 84% compared to the second quarter of 2022;

·      R&D services income up 62% (66% at CER) to $20.4 million (H1-22: $12.6m), now also including fees from our new partner Takeda for the management of regulatory activities;

·      Takeda upfront payment of $400.0 million received, of which $250.1 million (62%) attributable to the license was recognized immediately. The remaining balance will be recognized when ongoing services and performance obligations are completed. Up to June 2023, we have recognized an aggregate of $258.7 million to revenue and expect around $280 million by year end; and

·      Successful management of commercial operations to expand coverage of oncology hospitals and physicians despite challenges of pandemic-related disruptions around the start of the year.

 

$'millions	In-market Sales*				Consolidated Revenues**
	H1 2023	H1 2022	%Δ	(CER)	H1 2023	H1 2022	%Δ	(CER)
	Unaudited				Unaudited
ELUNATE®	$56.3	$50.4	+12%	(+20%)	$42.0	$36.0	+16%	(+25%)
SULANDA®	$22.6	$13.6	+66%	(+79%)	$22.6	$13.6	+66%	(+79%)
ORPATHYS®	$22.0	$23.3	-5%	(+2%)	$15.1	$13.8	+10%	(+17%)
TAZVERIK®	$0.4	$0.1	+560%	(+583%)	$0.4	$0.1	+560%	(+583%)
Products Sales	$101.3	$87.4	+16%	(+25%)	$80.1	$63.5	+26%	(+35%)
Other R&D services income					$20.4	$12.6	+62%	(+66%)
Upfront and milestone income					$258.7	$15.0
Total Oncology/Immunology					$359.2	$91.1	+294%	(+301%)
Other Ventures					$173.7	$110.9	+57%	(+67%)
Total revenues					$532.9	$202.0	+164%	(+173%)
* = For ELUNATE® and ORPATHYS®, represents total sales to third parties as provided by Lilly[20] and AstraZeneca, respectively; and their sales to other third parties as invoiced by HUTCHMED. ** = For ELUNATE®, represents manufacturing fees, commercial service fees and royalties paid by Lilly, to HUTCHMED, and sales to other third parties invoiced by HUTCHMED; for ORPATHYS® represents manufacturing fees and royalties paid by AstraZeneca and sales to other third parties invoiced by HUTCHMED; for SULANDA® and TAZVERIK®, represents the Company's sales of the products to third parties.

 

 

II. REGULATORY UPDATES

 

China

·      NDA accepted in China in second-line gastric cancer for fruquintinib in combination with paclitaxel in April 2023;

·      Designated Breakthrough Therapy in China for fruquintinib in combination with sintilimab in July 2023 for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer;

·      Consulted with NMPA^[21] on the registration study plan of HMPL-453 for IHCC in March 2023;

·      Consulted with NMPA on registration study plan of savolitinib for gastric cancer in March 2023; and

·      Received Macau approvals for tazemetostat and savolitinib in March 2023.

 

Ex-China

·      Fruquintinib submission to U.S. FDA accepted in May 2023 and granted Priority Review for previously treated metastatic CRC. The PDUFA goal date assigned by the FDA is November 30, 2023;

·      Fruquintinib submission to the EMA was validated in June 2023;

·      Fruquintinib submission to the Japanese PMDA^[22] expected to be completed in 2023;

·      Savolitinib, in combination with TAGRISSO^®, designated a U.S. FDA Fast Track program in January 2023 for the treatment of patients with NSCLC^[23] with MET^[24] overexpression and/or amplification, and who have had disease progression during or following prior TAGRISSO^®; and

·      Following dialogue with the PMDA regarding surufatinib, we have decided not to file a Japanese NDA on the basis of the clinical trial data available.

 

 

III. CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

 

Savolitinib (ORPATHYS^® in China), a highly selective oral inhibitor of MET being developed broadly across MET-driven patient populations in lung, gastric and papillary renal cell carcinomas

·      Aligned with FDA and enrolling the pivotal Phase II study SAVANNAH for potential accelerated approval of the TAGRISSO^® combination for NSCLC MET patients following progression on TAGRISSO^® (NCT03778229);

·      Completed enrollment of the confirmatory China Phase IIIb study in MET exon 14 skipping alteration NSCLC in both first-line and second-line and above patients (NCT04923945);

·      After consultation with NMPA, initiated the registration stage of a China Phase II study in second-line gastric cancer patients with MET amplification (NCT04923932); and

·      Continued enrolling five other registration studies, including SAFFRON, the global, pivotal Phase III study of the TAGRISSO^® combination supporting SAVANNAH (NCT05261399); SACHI, a pivotal Phase III study of the TAGRISSO^® combination in China for NSCLC patients with MET amplification following progression on EGFR^[25] inhibitor treatment (NCT05015608); SANOVO, a pivotal Phase III study of the TAGRISSO^® combination in China in first-line NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutation and MET overexpression (NCT05009836); and SAMETA, a global Phase III study in MET-driven PRCC^[26] (NCT05043090).

 

Potential upcoming clinical and regulatory milestones for savolitinib:

·      Complete enrollment of SAVANNAH pivotal Phase II study in 2023;

·      Complete enrollment of SOUND, a China Phase II study of the IMFINZI^® combination in EGFR wild-type NSCLC patients with MET alterations (NCT05374603) around year end 2023; and

·      Complete recruitment of SACHI, a pivotal Phase III study of the TAGRISSO^® combination in China for NSCLC patients with MET amplification following progression on EGFR inhibitor treatment (NCT05015608) in mid-2024.

 

Fruquintinib (ELUNATE^® in China), a highly selective oral inhibitor of VEGFR^[27] 1/2/3 designed to improve kinase selectivity to minimize off-target toxicity and thereby improve tolerability

·      Completed recruitment of the endometrial cancer cohort of a China Phase II study of fruquintinib in combination with PD-1^[28] inhibitor sintilimab in July 2023 for potential registration (NCT03903705);

·      Published in peer-reviewed journal The Lancet positive results of the global Phase III FRESCO-2 registration trial (NCT04322539) in previously treated metastatic CRC patients in June 2023; and

·      Updated results from the clear cell RCC^[29] cohort of a China Phase II study of fruquintinib in combination with PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab at ASCO 2023, these results led to the Phase II/III trial (NCT05522231). 

 

Potential upcoming clinical and regulatory milestones for fruquintinib:

·      Complete NDA submission to the Japanese PMDA in 2023;

·      Submit FRUTIGA results for presentation at a scientific conference (NCT03223376);

·      Consult with NMPA on the results of the ongoing endometrial cancer sintilimab combination Phase II study, which may lead to NDA submission in the first half of 2024; and

·      Complete enrollment of China Phase II/III study of combination with PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab in clear cell RCC (NCT05522231) around year end 2023.

 

Surufatinib (SULANDA^® in China), an oral inhibitor of VEGFR, FGFR^[30] and CSF-1R^[31] designed to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and promote immune response against tumor cells via tumor associated macrophage regulation

·      Reported data from the Phase Ib/II China toripalimab combination study at the 2023 AACR and ASCO annual meetings (NCT04169672).

 

Sovleplenib (HMPL-523), an investigative and highly selective oral inhibitor of Syk^[32], an important component of the Fc receptor and B-cell receptor signaling pathway

·      Completed enrollment of a Phase II Proof-of-Concept study in warm AIHA^[33] in China (NCT05535933).

Potential upcoming clinical milestones for sovleplenib:

·      Report top-line results from ESLIM-01 China Phase III in primary ITP^[34] (NCT03951623) in 2023;

·      Decide whether to proceed into Phase I in ITP in US depending on the outcome of China Phase III; and

·      Decide whether to proceed into Phase III in warm AIHA in China or continue dose escalation, depending on the outcome of an upcoming analysis of a Phase II Proof-of-Concept study in warm AIHA.

 

Amdizalisib (HMPL-689), an investigative and highly selective oral inhibitor of PI3Kδ^[35] designed to address the gastrointestinal and hepatotoxicity associated with currently approved and clinical-stage PI3Kδ inhibitors

·      Completed recruitment of patients for China registration Phase II study for the treatment of follicular lymphoma (with Breakthrough Therapy Designation) in February 2023 (NCT04849351); and

·      Initiated combination trial with tazemetostat in China in February 2023 (NCT05713110).

 

Potential upcoming clinical and regulatory milestones for amdizalisib:

·      Report top-line results from the China registration Phase II study for the treatment of follicular lymphoma in late 2023.

 

Tazemetostat (TAZVERIK^® in Macau and the Hainan Pilot Zone), a first-in-class, oral inhibitor of EZH2 licensed from Ipsen^[36] subsidiary Epizyme^[37] in China

·      Approved and launched in the Macau Special Administrative Region in March 2023.

 

Potential upcoming clinical and regulatory milestones for tazemetostat:

·      Complete recruitment of a China bridging study in follicular lymphoma for conditional registration based on U.S. approvals in H2 2023 (NCT05467943).

 

HMPL-453, a novel, highly selective and potent inhibitor targeting FGFR 1, 2 and 3

·      Reported human data for the first time at the 2023 ASCO annual meeting; and

·      After consultation with NMPA, initiated the registration phase of the ongoing Phase II trial for IHCC patients with FGFR 2 fusion (NCT04353375).

 

Earlier stage investigational drug candidates

In addition to the seven drug candidates being developed in over 15 registration studies above, HUTCHMED is developing six further oncology candidates in early-stage clinical trials. These are HMPL-306, a highly selective oral inhibitor of IDH1/2^[38] designed to address resistance to currently marketed IDH inhibitors; HMPL-760, a highly selective, third-generation oral inhibitor of BTK^[39] with improved potency versus first generation BTK inhibitors against both wild type & C481S mutant enzymes; HMPL-295, a highly selective oral inhibitor of ERK^[40] in the MAPK pathway^[41] with the potential to address intrinsic or acquired resistance from upstream mechanisms such as RAS-RAF-MEK; HMPL-653, an oral, highly selective, and potent CSF-1R inhibitor designed to target CSF-1R driven tumors as a monotherapy or in combinations; HMPL-A83, a differentiated, red blood cell sparing anti-CD47 antibody; and HMPL-415, a novel SHP2 allosteric inhibitor that entered clinical trials in July 2023.

 

Subject to data and consultation with the CDE^[42], several of these earlier stage drug candidates have potential to move into registration trials in the next 12 months.   

 

 

IV. COLLABORATION UPDATES

 

Closed Exclusive Worldwide License to Takeda for Fruquintinib Outside China

·      Takeda is responsible for development, manufacturing and commercialization in all indications and territories outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau; and

·      HUTCHMED is eligible to receive up to $1.13 billion, including the $400 million upfront received in April 2023, and up to $730 million in additional potential payments relating to regulatory, development and commercial sales milestones, as well as royalties on net sales.

 

Further clinical progress by Inmagene with two candidates discovered by HUTCHMED

·      Inmagene initiating a global, Phase II trial in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with IMG-007, an anti-OX40 antibody. It was safe and well-tolerated in the completed Phase I study with no reports of pyrexia or chills, which are common adverse events of rocatinlimab, another anti-OX40 treatment.

·      Inmagene completed a Phase I study with IMG-004, a reversible, non-covalent, highly selective oral BTK inhibitor designed to target immunological diseases. IMG-004 was safe and well-tolerated in this single-ascending-dose study, with a long half-life and sustained pharmacodynamic effects that are well above others in its class.

 

 

V. OTHER VENTURES

 

Other Ventures include our profitable prescription drug marketing and distribution platforms

·      Other Ventures consolidated revenues increased by 57% (67% at CER) to $173.7 million (H1-22: $110.9m);

·      SHPL^[43] non-consolidated joint venture revenues increased by 11% (19% at CER) to $235.3 million (H1-22: $212.4m);

·      Consolidated net income attributable to HUTCHMED from our Other Ventures increased by 5% (12% at CER) to $37.2 million (H1-22: $35.4m), which was primarily due to the net income contributed from SHPL of $35.1 million (H1-22: $33.6m); and

·      We are exploring opportunities to monetize the underlying value of our SHPL joint venture including various divestment and equity capital market alternatives.

 

 

VI. IMPACT OF COVID-19

 

While restrictive measures related to COVID-19 were gradually lifted in China starting from December 2022, COVꞮD-19 had some impact on our research, clinical studies and our commercial activities in the first months of 2023. Measures were put in place to reduce the impact and, in the second quarter of 2023, these activities normalized.

 

 

VII. SUSTAINABILITY

 

At HUTCHMED, we are committed to a progressive journey as we continue to grow. This includes embedding sustainability into all aspects of our operations and creating long-term value for our stakeholders, including our staff, our communities and our shareholders. In April 2023, we published our 2022 Sustainability Report alongside our 2022 Annual Report. This year we continue to make progress in line with the commitments and outcomes outlined in the report, including achieving satisfactory progress to date towards the 11 short- to long-term sustainability goals and targets and following the recommended disclosure framework of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in line with the risks assessment. In the second half of 2023, we continue enhancing our climate risks action by conducting scope 3 emissions screening, introducing a digital data collection platform, and further strengthening our sustainability-related disclosures.

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

Foreign exchange impact: The RMB depreciated against the U.S. dollar on average by approximately 7% during the six months ended June 30, 2023, which has impacted our consolidated financial results as highlighted below.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments were $856.2 million as of June 30, 2023 compared to $631.0 million as of December 31, 2022.

·      Adjusted Group (non-GAAP^[44]) net cash flows excluding financing activities in the first half of 2023 were $219.3 million (H1-22: -$110.9m) mainly due to receipt of a $400 million payment from Takeda; and

·      Net cash generated from financing activities in the first half of 2023 totaled $5.8 million mainly due to the proceeds of bank borrowings (H1-22: net cash used in financing activities of $74.6m mainly due to the repayment of bank borrowings and purchases of ADSs^[45] by a trustee for the settlement of equity awards).   

 

Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $532.9 million compared to $202.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022.

·      Oncology/Immunology consolidated revenues increased 294% (301% at CER) to $359.2 million (H1‑22: $91.1m) resulting from:

§ ELUNATE^® revenues increased 16% (25% at CER) to $42.0 million (H1-22: $36.0m) due to continued market share gain, comprising of manufacturing revenues, promotion and marketing service revenues and royalties;

§ SULANDA^® revenues increased 66% (79% at CER) to $22.6 million (H1-22: $13.6m) from our continuing marketing activities, increasing patient access after inclusion on the NRDL in January 2022 and long duration of treatment;

§ ORPATHYS^® revenues increased 10% (17% at CER) to $15.1 million (H1-22: $13.8m) after inclusion in the NRDL effective from March 2023 and comprises of manufacturing revenues and royalties;

§ TAZVERIK^® revenues were $0.4 million (H1-22: $0.1m) from further sales in the Hainan Pilot Zone;

§ Partnering revenue of $258.7 million was the first half recognized portion of the $400 million upfront payment from Takeda; and

§ Other R&D services income of $20.4 million (H1-22: $12.6m), primarily related to fees from AstraZeneca, Lilly and Takeda for the management of development and regulatory activities.

·      Other Ventures consolidated revenues increased 57% (67% at CER) to $173.7 million (H1-22: $110.9m), mainly due to higher sales of prescription drugs. This excludes 11% (19% at CER) growth in non-consolidated revenues at SHPL of $235.3 million (H1-22: $212.4m).

 

Net Expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $364.3 million compared to $364.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

·      Costs of Revenues increased by 52% to $208.3 million (H1-22: $137.3m), of which cost of revenues from our Other Ventures increased by 63% to $164.8 million (H1-22: $101.0m) due to the increasing sales of third-party prescription drug products, and cost of revenues from Oncology/Immunology increased by 20% to $43.5 million (H1-22: $36.3m) due to the increasing sales of ELUNATE^®, SULANDA^® and ORPATHYS^®;

·      R&D Expenses reduced 20% to $144.6 million (H1-22: $181.7m), mainly as a result of the strategic prioritization of our pipeline. Our international clinical and regulatory operations in the U.S. and Europe incurred expenses of $55.6 million (H1-22: $83.6m), while R&D expenses in China were $89.0 million (H1‑22: $98.1m);

·      SG&A Expenses were $68.3 million (H1-22: $79.8m), which decreased primarily due to the restructuring of our U.S. Oncology/Immunology commercial operations at the end of 2022 while our China commercial infrastructure was able to support further revenue growth; and

·      Other Items generated net income of $56.9 million (H1-22: $33.9m), which increased primarily due to higher interest income earned after receiving the $400 million Takeda upfront payment in April 2023 and foreign currency exchange gains.

 

Net Income attributable to HUTCHMED for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $168.6 million (which include $258.7 million of the upfront payment recognized from Takeda) compared to Net Loss attributable to HUTCHMED of $162.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

·      The net income attributable to HUTCHMED for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $0.20 per ordinary share / $1.00 per ADS, compared to net loss attributable to HUTCHMED of $0.19 per ordinary share / $0.96 per ADS for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Financial Summary

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Data

(in $'000)

	As of June 30, 2023		As of December 31, 2022
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	856,168		630,996
Accounts receivable	129,203		97,988
Other current assets	105,114		110,904
Property, plant and equipment	96,829		75,947
Investments in equity investees	37,740		73,777
Other non-current assets	72,443		39,833
Total assets	1,297,497		1,029,445
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Accounts payable	54,575		71,115
Other payables, accruals and advance receipts	227,212		264,621
Deferred revenue	149,440		13,537
Bank borrowings	40,147		18,104
Other liabilities	26,106		25,198
Total liabilities	497,480		392,575
Company's shareholders' equity	782,039		610,367
Non-controlling interests	17,978		26,503
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,297,497		1,029,445

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

(Unaudited, in $'000, except share and per share data)

	Six Months Ended June 30
	2023		2022
Revenues:
Oncology/Immunology - Marketed Products	80,149		63,517
Oncology/Immunology - R&D	279,034		27,552
Oncology/Immunology consolidated revenues	359,183		91,069
Other Ventures	173,691		110,978
Total revenues	532,874		202,047
Operating expenses:
Costs of revenues	(208,324)		(137,318)
Research and development expenses	(144,633)		(181,741)
Selling and general administrative expenses	(68,263)		(79,742)
Total operating expenses	(421,220)		(398,801)
	111,654		(196,754)
Other income/(expense), net	25,434		(3,882)
Income/(loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity investees	137,088		(200,636)
Income tax (expense)/benefit	(2,730)		4,215
Equity in earnings of equity investees, net of tax	35,110		33,549
Net income/(loss)	169,468		(162,872)
Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(917)		11
Net income/(loss) attributable to HUTCHMED	168,551		(162,861)
Earnings/(losses) per share attributable to HUTCHMED (US$ per share)
- basic	0.20		(0.19)
- diluted	0.19		(0.19)
Number of shares used in per share calculation
- basic	846,928,863		849,283,553
- diluted	866,990,610		849,283,553
Earnings/(losses) per ADS attributable to HUTCHMED (US$ per ADS)
- basic	1.00		(0.96)
- diluted	0.97		(0.96)
Number of ADSs used in per share calculation
- basic	169,385,773		169,856,711
- diluted	173,398,122		169,856,711

 

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

 

Following the closing of the license with Takeda and having received from them the upfront payment of $400 million, we currently expect to recognize approximately $280 million in 2023.

 

We provide financial guidance for Oncology/Immunology consolidated revenues, reflecting expected revenue growth of our oncology products in China; R&D services income from our partners AstraZeneca, Lilly and Takeda; potential milestone payments on fruquintinib U.S. regulatory approval; and the above-mentioned recognition of the upfront payment from Takeda. We believe that we remain on track to meet the 2023 guidance provided in the announcement of our 2022 full year results on February 28, 2023.

 

	H1 2022 Actual	H1 2023 Actual	FY 2022 Actual	FY 2023 Guidance	Adjustments vs. Previous Guidance
Oncology/Immunology consolidated revenues	$91.1 million	$359.2 million	$163.8 million	$450 - $550 million	Nil

 

Shareholders and investors should note that:

 

·      we do not provide any guarantee that the statements contained in the financial guidance will materialize or that the financial results contained therein will be achieved or are likely to be achieved; and

 

·      we have in the past revised our financial guidance and reference should be made to any announcements published by us regarding any updates to the financial guidance after the date of publication of this announcement.

---

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation - References in this announcement to adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities and financial measures reported at CER are based on non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation" below for further information relevant to the interpretation of these financial measures and reconciliations of these financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, respectively.

 

Conference call and audio webcast presentation scheduled today at 8 p.m. HKT / 1 p.m. BST / 8 a.m. EDT. After registering, investors may access a live audio webcast of the call via HUTCHMED's website at www.hutch-med.com/event/.

 

Participants who wish to join the call by telephone and ask a question must register. Upon registration, each participant will be provided with dial-in numbers and a unique PIN.

 

HUTCHMED intends to host a Capital Markets Day in the fourth quarter of this year to further update the market on its progress following the strategy change, and to showcase the exciting pipeline of drug candidates.

 

About HUTCHMED

 

HUTCHMED (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM; HKEX: 13) is an innovative, commercial-stage, biopharmaceutical company. It is committed to the discovery, global development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. It has approximately 5,000 personnel across all its companies, at the center of which is a team of about 1,800 in oncology/immunology. Since inception, HUTCHMED has focused on bringing cancer drug candidates from in-house discovery to patients around the world, with its first three oncology medicines now approved and marketed in China. For more information, please visit: www.hutch‑med.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Contacts

 

Investor Enquiries
Mark Lee, Senior Vice President	+852 2121 8200
Annie Cheng, Vice President	+1 (973) 306-4490
Media Enquiries
Americas - Brad Miles, Solebury Strategic Communications	+1 (917) 570 7340 (Mobile) / [email protected]
Europe - Ben Atwell / Alex Shaw, FTI Consulting	+44 20 3727 1030 / +44 7771 913 902 (Mobile) / +44 7779 545 055 (Mobile) / [email protected]
Asia - Zhou Yi, Brunswick	+852 9783 6894 (Mobile) / [email protected]
Nominated Advisor
Atholl Tweedie / Freddy Crossley / Daphne Zhang, Panmure Gordon	+44 (20) 7886 2500

 

 

 

References

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this announcement to the "Group," the "Company," "HUTCHMED," "HUTCHMED Group," "we," "us," and "our," mean HUTCHMED (China) Limited and its subsidiaries unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

 

Past Performance and Forward-Looking Statements

 

The performance and results of operations of the Group contained within this announcement are historical in nature, and past performance is no guarantee of future results of the Group. This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words like "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "pipeline," "could," "potential," "first-in-class," "best-in-class," "designed to," "objective," "guidance," "pursue," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential drug candidates, potential indications for drug candidates or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that any of our drug candidates will be approved for sale in any market, that any approvals which are obtained will be obtained at any particular time, or that the sales of products marketed or otherwise commercialized by HUTCHMED and/or its collaboration partners (collectively, "HUTCHMED's Products") will achieve any particular revenue or net income levels. In particular, management's expectations could be affected by, among other things: unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally, including, among others, the risk that HUTCHMED's ADSs could be barred from trading in the United States as a result of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and the rules promulgated thereunder; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the inability to meet our key study assumptions regarding enrollment rates, timing and availability of subjects meeting a study's inclusion and exclusion criteria and funding requirements, changes to clinical protocols, unexpected adverse events or safety, quality or manufacturing issues; the inability of a drug candidate to meet the primary or secondary endpoint of a study; the inability of a drug candidate to obtain regulatory approval in different jurisdictions or the utilization, market acceptance and commercial success of HUTCHMED's Products after obtaining regulatory approval; competing products and drug candidates that may be superior to, or more cost effective than, HUTCHMED's Products and drug candidates; the impact of studies (whether conducted by HUTCHMED or others and whether mandated or voluntary) or recommendations and guidelines from governmental authorities and other third parties on the commercial success of HUTCHMED's Products and drug candidates in development; the ability of HUTCHMED to manufacture and manage supply chains for multiple products and drug candidates; the availability and extent of reimbursement of HUTCHMED's Products from third-party payers, including private payer healthcare and insurance programs and government insurance programs; the costs of developing, producing and selling HUTCHMED's Products; the ability of HUTCHMED to meet any of its financial projections or guidance and changes to the assumptions underlying those projections or guidance; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; uncertainties regarding actual or potential legal proceedings, including, among others, actual or potential product liability litigation, litigation and investigations regarding sales and marketing practices, intellectual property disputes, and government investigations generally; and general economic and industry conditions, including uncertainties regarding the effects of the persistently weak economic and financial environment in many countries, uncertainties regarding future global exchange rates and uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19. For further discussion of these and other risks, see HUTCHMED's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, on AIM and on HKEX^[46]. HUTCHMED is providing the information in this announcement as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

In addition, this announcement contains statistical data and estimates that HUTCHMED obtained from industry publications and reports generated by third-party market research firms. Although HUTCHMED believes that the publications, reports and surveys are reliable, HUTCHMED has not independently verified the data and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such data. You are cautioned not to give undue weight to this data. Such data involves risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed above.

 

 

 

Inside Information

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (E.U.) No 596/2014 (as it forms part of retained E.U. law as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).

 

Ends

 

 

OPERATIONS REVIEW

 

Oncology/Immunology

 

We discover, develop, manufacture and market targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases through a fully integrated team of approximately 900 scientists and staff (December 31, 2022: ~960), and an in-house oncology commercial organization of over 900 staff (December 31, 2022: ~870).

 

We have 13 oncology drug candidates in clinical trials in China, with four also in active clinical development in the U.S. and Europe. Our three medicines, fruquintinib, surufatinib and savolitinib, have all been approved and launched in China and the fourth, tazemetostat, has been approved and launched in Hainan Pilot Zone and Macau, and submitted for registration in Hong Kong.

 

MARKETED PRODUCT SALES

 

Despite some initial challenges in the first quarter of the year due to the impact of COVID-19 in China, in-market sales of HUTCHMED's novel oncology products continued to grow at 16% (25% at CER) to $101.3 million (H1‑22: $87.4m) in the first half of 2023.

 

Fruquintinib (ELUNATE^® in China)

ELUNATE^® is approved for the treatment of third-line metastatic CRC for which there is an approximate incidence of 105,000 new patients per year in China. We estimate that in the first half of 2023, approximately 17,000 (H1 2022: approximately 14,000) new patients were treated with ELUNATE^® in China, despite some challenges in the first quarter of the year due to the impact of COVID-19. ELUNATE^® surpassed regorafenib in prescription numbers for late-stage CRC at the end of 2021, and that lead grew to an approximately 47% market share at the end of June 2023. This resulted in in-market sales of $56.3 million, up 12% (20% at CER) versus the first half of 2022 ($50.4 million).

 

Under the terms of our agreement with Lilly, HUTCHMED manages all on-the-ground medical detailing, promotion and local and regional marketing activities for ELUNATE^® in China. We consolidate as revenues approximately 70-80% of ELUNATE^® in-market sales from manufacturing fees, service fees and royalties paid to us by Lilly. In the first half of 2023, we consolidated $42.0 million in revenue for ELUNATE^®, equal to 75% of in-market sales. Our commercial team continues to be highly active, celebrating ELUNATE^®'s fifth year since it was approved and adding a further 112 (+17%) new hospital pharmacy listings in the first half of 2023.

 

ELUNATE^® continues to be included in the NRDL in 2023. Negotiations with the China NHSA^[47] to renew its inclusion beyond 2023 are expected to take place in the second half of this year. The new NHSA NRDL price determination scheme was published in July 2023, indicating medicines that already have reimbursement coverage will go through a simplified renewal/renegotiation process with limited further price discount, particularly for products that have been reimbursed for at least four years, such as ELUNATE^®.

 

Outside of China, fruquintinib will be marketed by our partner Takeda. In the U.S., commercial preparations are ongoing by Takeda to be ready for launch once U.S. approval is granted.

 

Surufatinib (SULANDA^® in China)

SULANDA^® was launched in China in 2021 for the treatment of all advanced NETs^[48] for which there is an approximate incidence of 34,000 new patients per year in China. In the first half of 2023, approximately 12,000 new patients were treated with SULANDA^®, compared to the approximately 12,000 new patients in 2022. The two older therapies for advanced NETs approved and NRDL reimbursed in China, SUTENT^® and AFINITOR^®, were approved in 2012 and 2014, respectively. In the first quarter of 2023, SULANDA^® had the leading share of the market at approximately 17%, compared to SUTENT and AFINITOR at 13% and 11%, respectively.

 

Sales growth in 2022 was strong, being the first year in which SULANDA^® had been listed on the NRDL. As a result of our continued marketing activities, increasing patient access to SULANDA^® and its long duration of treatment, total sales in the first half of 2023 accelerated, growing by 66% (79% at CER) to $22.6 million (H1-22: $13.6 million). Our commercial team added a further 103 (+19%) new hospital pharmacy listings in the first half of 2023.

 

Savolitinib (ORPATHYS^® in China)

ORPATHYS^® is the first-in-class selective MET inhibitor to be approved in China, launched and marketed by our partner, AstraZeneca for patients with MET exon 14 skipping alteration NSCLC. More than a third of the world's lung cancer patients are in China. Among those with NSCLC globally, approximately 2-3% have tumors with MET exon 14 skipping alterations. 

 

In 2021, 2022 and the first two months of 2023, ORPATHYS^® was sold as a self-pay drug. Following negotiations with the China NHSA in January 2023, ORPATHYS^® has been included in the updated NRDL since March 1, 2023 at a 38% discount relative to the self-pay price, broadening patient access to this medicine. Sales during the first half of 2023 were impacted by customary channel fluctuations following the announcement (in January 2023) and implementation of the NRDL listing (in March 2023), with increased volume in the latter part of the first half of 2023. In-market sales for ORPATHYS^® fell 5% (increased 2% at CER) in the first half of 2023 to $22.0 million (H1-22: $23.3m) resulting in our consolidation of $15.1 million (H1-22: $13.8m) in revenues from manufacturing fees and royalties. Sales in the second quarter of 2023 were substantially higher than in the second quarter of 2022 before NRDL listing, increasing 84% by volume.

 

Market understanding of the need for MET testing has improved significantly, with approximately half of new advanced/relapsed NSCLC patients in China being tested. In the National Health Commission's Treatment Guidelines for Primary Lung Cancer 2022 and the China Medical Association Oncology Committee Lung Cancer Group's China Medical Association Guideline for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer, ORPATHYS^® was identified as the only targeted therapy recommended for MET exon 14 patients, while a similar guideline from CSCO^[49] also recommended ORPATHYS^® as the standard of care for such patients. As MET testing awareness and access increases, more patients are expected to be prescribed a selective MET inhibitor.

 

ORPATHYS^® is the first selective MET inhibitor on the market in China, representing the majority MET TKI^[50] sales. Several selective MET inhibitors are in development in China, but only one is currently expected to be eligible to enter NRDL negotiations in late 2023.

 

In March 2023, ORPATHYS^® was approved in the Macau Special Administrative Region.

 

Tazemetostat (TAZVERIK^® in Hainan and Macau, China; the U.S. and Japan)

In May 2022, tazemetostat was approved by the Health Commission and Medical Products Administration of Hainan Province to be used in the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone (Hainan Pilot Zone), under the Clinically Urgently Needed Imported Drugs scheme, for the treatment of certain patients with epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma consistent with the label as approved by the FDA. Launched in 2013 and located in China, the Hainan Pilot Zone is a destination for international medical tourism and global hub for scientific innovation, welcoming 83,900 medical tourists in 2020, according to official data. Tazemetostat was included in the 2022 CSCO guidelines for epithelioid sarcoma. 10 epithelioid sarcoma patients began treatment in the first half of 2023 (H1-22: none). Tazemetostat is included in 2023 CSCO guideline for follicular lymphoma.

 

In March 2023, tazemetostat was approved in the Macau Special Administrative Region. A market authorization application has been under review in Hong Kong since December 2022. 

 

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

 

Our strategy is aimed at accelerating our path to profitability and establishing a long-term sustainable business, by prioritizing late-stage and registrational studies in China and partnering outside of China. Selected out-licensing opportunity candidates, particularly outside of China, include sovleplenib, surufatinib and HMPL-306. HUTCHMED intends to continue to run early phase development programs for selected drug candidates in U.S., E.U. and Japan where we believe we can differentiate from a global perspective.

 

Below is a summary update of the clinical trial progress of our investigational drug candidates. For more details about each trial, please refer to our 2022 Annual Report published in April 2023 and recent scientific publications.

 

Savolitinib (ORPATHYS^® in China)

 

Savolitinib is an oral, potent, and highly selective oral inhibitor of MET. In global partnership with AstraZeneca, savolitinib is being studied in NSCLC, PRCC and gastric cancer clinical trials with about 2,000 patients to date, both as a monotherapy and in combinations. AstraZeneca has paid HUTCHMED $85 million of the total $140 million in upfront payments, development and approvals milestones that are potentially payable under the relevant license and collaboration agreement.

 

Savolitinib - Lung cancer:

The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for savolitinib in lung cancer patients.

 

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Savolitinib + TAGRISSO®	SAVANNAH: 2L/3L EGFRm+[51]; TAGRISSO® refractory; MET+	Global	II Registration-intent	Ongoing; Data that supported Phase IIIs at WCLC 2022	NCT03778229
Savolitinib + TAGRISSO®	SAFFRON: 2L/3L EGFRm+; TAGRISSO® refractory; MET+	Global	III	Ongoing since 2022	NCT05261399
Savolitinib + TAGRISSO®	SACHI: 2L EGFR TKI refractory NSCLC; MET+	China	III	Ongoing since 2021	NCT05015608
Savolitinib + TAGRISSO®	SANOVO: Naïve patients with EGFRm & MET+	China	III	Ongoing since 2021	NCT05009836
Savolitinib monotherapy	MET exon 14 skipping alterations	China	II Registration	Approved & launched in 2021; Final OS[52] analysis at ELCC 2022	NCT02897479
Savolitinib monotherapy	MET exon 14 skipping alterations	China	III Confirmatory	Fully enrolled in H1 2023	NCT04923945
Savolitinib + IMFINZI®	SOUND: MET-driven, EGFR wild type	China	II	Ongoing since 2022	NCT05374603

 

Update on combination therapies in EGFR TKI-resistant NSCLC - MET-aberration is a major mechanism for acquired resistance to both first/second-generation EGFR TKIs as well as third-generation EGFR TKIs like TAGRISSO^®. Among patients who experience disease progression post-TAGRISSO^® treatment, approximately 15-50% present with MET aberration. The prevalence of MET amplification and overexpression may differ depending on the sample type, detection method and assay cut-off used. Savolitinib has been studied extensively in these patients in the TATTON (NCT02143466) and SAVANNAH (NCT03778229) studies. The encouraging results led to the initiation and planning of three Phase III studies: SACHI and SANOVO were initiated in China in 2021, and the global, pivotal Phase III SAFFRON study is currently open for enrollment.

 

The SAVANNAH global Phase II study, in patients who have progressed following TAGRISSO^® due to MET amplification or overexpression, is expected to complete recruitment in the second half of 2023. In January 2023, the U.S. FDA designated as a Fast Track development program the investigation of savolitinib for use in combination with TAGRISSO^® for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have MET overexpression and/or amplification, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have had disease progression during or following prior TAGRISSO^®. We continue to evaluate the possibility of using the SAVANNAH study as the basis for U.S. accelerated approval.

 

The SAFFRON study, which will evaluate the efficacy and safety of savolitinib in combination with TAGRISSO^® compared to pemetrexed plus platinum doublet-chemotherapy, has now activated a majority of the approximately 250 sites in over 20 countries planned for the study, although enrollment of SAVANNAH is being prioritized until it is fully enrolled.

 

Two registrational studies are ongoing in China in EGFR mutated NSCLC with MET aberrations: the SANOVO study in treatment naïve patients, and SACHI study in patients whose disease progressed following treatment with any first-line EGFR TKI. Both trials are expected to complete enrollment in 2024. 

 

Update on MET altered, EGFR wild type NSCLC in China - The June 2021 monotherapy approval by the NMPA was based on positive results from a Phase II trial conducted in China in patients with NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping alterations (NCT02897479). A confirmatory study in this patient population fully enrolled in H1 2023 (NCT04923945). Results from the first-line cohort of this study are accepted for disclosure by WCLC.

 

 

Savolitinib - Kidney cancer:

MET is a key genetic driver in papillary RCC, and emerging evidence suggests that combining immunotherapies with a MET inhibitor could enhance anti-tumor activity. PRCC is a subtype of kidney cancer, representing about 15% of patients, with no treatments approved for patients with tumors that harbor MET-driven alterations. Savolitinib has been studied in multiple global studies in PRCC patients, including the SAVOIR monotherapy and CALYPSO combination therapy global Phase II trials, that both demonstrated highly encouraging results. These results led to the initiation of a global Phase III, the SAMETA study, in 2021. Over 140 sites in over 20 countries are enrolling patients.

 

The table below shows a summary of the clinical study for savolitinib in kidney cancer patients.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Savolitinib + IMFINZI®	SAMETA: MET-driven, unresectable and locally advanced or metastatic PRCC	Global	III	Ongoing since 2021	NCT05043090

 

Savolitinib - Gastric cancer:

MET-driven gastric cancer has a very poor prognosis. Multiple Phase II studies have been conducted in Asia to study savolitinib in MET-driven gastric cancer, of which approximately 5% of all gastric cancer patients, demonstrated promising efficacy, including VIKTORY. The VIKTORY study reported a 50% ORR^[53] with savolitinib monotherapy in gastric cancer patients whose tumors harbor MET amplification.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Savolitinib	2L+ gastric cancer with MET amplification. Two-stage, single-arm study	China	II registration-intent	~65 patient registration cohort enrolling since March 2023	NCT04923932

 

Preliminary efficacy and safety data from an interim analysis of 20 patients in a Phase II trial of savolitinib monotherapy in patients with MET-amplified advanced or metastatic gastroesophageal junction adeno-carcinomas or gastric cancer was reported at AACR 2023, showing promising efficacy in patients with MET-amplified diseases, particularly in patients with high MET gene copy number. Confirmed ORR by independent review was 45%, or 50% in the 16 patients with high MET gene copy number. Duration of response rate at 4-months was 85.7%. The most common grade 3 or above TRAEs (more than 5%) were decreased platelet count, hypersensitivity, anemia, neutropenia and abnormal hepatic function. The BID regimen is being investigated to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of savolitinib in MET high patients. Following consultation with the NMPA with this data, a patient registration cohort began enrolling in March 2023.

 

Fruquintinib (ELUNATE^® in China)

 

Fruquintinib is a novel, selective, oral inhibitor of VEGFR 1/2/3 kinases that was designed to improve kinase selectivity to minimize off-target toxicity and thereby improve efficacy and tolerability. Fruquintinib has been studied in clinical trials with about 5,500 patients to date, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other agents.

 

Aside from its first approved indication of third-line CRC (in China), studies of fruquintinib combined with various checkpoint inhibitors (including TYVYT^® and tislelizumab) are underway. Registration-intent studies combined with chemotherapy (FRUTIGA study in gastric cancer) or checkpoint inhibitors (TYVYT^® combo, in endometrial cancer and RCC) are ongoing in China.

 

We are partnered with Lilly in China and with Takeda outside of China. The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for fruquintinib.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Fruquintinib monotherapy	FRESCO-2: metastatic CRC	U.S. / Europe / Japan / Aus.	III	U.S. PDUFA date Nov 30, 2023, EMA MAA validated in Jun 2023; Japan filing in 2023; Results published in The Lancet; further data presented at ASCO GI, JSMO[54] & ASCO 2023	NCT04322539
Fruquintinib monotherapy	CRC; TN[55] & HR+[56]/Her2-[57] breast cancer	U.S.	I/Ib	CRC data at ASCO GI 2022; results supported the initiation of the FRESCO-2	NCT03251378
Fruquintinib + tislelizumab (PD-1)	MSS[58]-CRC	U.S.	Ib/II	Ongoing since 2021; Fully enrolled; Follow-up ongoing; Conference submission pending completion of follow-up	NCT04577963
Fruquintinib monotherapy	FRESCO: ≥ 3L CRC; chemotherapy refractory	China	III	Approved & launched in 2018	NCT02314819
Fruquintinib + paclitaxel	FRUTIGA: 2L gastric cancer	China	III	Supplemental NDA accepted by NMPA in Apr 2023	NCT03223376
Fruquintinib + TYVYT® (PD-1)	CRC	China	II	Data published in European Journal of Cancer	NCT04179084
Fruquintinib + TYVYT® (PD-1)	Endometrial cancer	China	II registration-intent	Fully enrolled; if positive, NDA filing H1 2024; Ib data at CSCO 2021	NCT03903705
Fruquintinib + TYVYT® (PD-1)	RCC	China	Ib/II	Fully enrolled; Updated data at ASCO 2023	NCT03903705
Fruquintinib + TYVYT® (PD-1)	RCC	China	II/III	Ongoing since 2022	NCT05522231
Fruquintinib + TYVYT® (PD-1)	Gastrointestinal tumors, NSCLC, cervical cancer	China	Ib/II	Fully enrolled	NCT03903705
Fruquintinib + tislelizumab (PD-1)	CRC	Korea / China	Ib/II	Fully enrolled	NCT04716634

 

Fruquintinib - CRC updates:

FRESCO-2 (NCT04322539) - Positive results from this double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase III study in 691 patients with refractory metastatic CRC were presented at ESMO 2022 and subsequently published in The Lancet. The study demonstrated that treatment with fruquintinib resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful increase in OS and the key secondary endpoint of PFS^[59] compared to treatment with placebo. The safety profile of fruquintinib in FRESCO-2 was consistent with previously reported fruquintinib studies.

 

Further analyses presented at ASCO GI and ASCO 2023 added to the understanding of fruquintinib efficacy and safety. At ASCO GI, results showed that health-related quality of life was not negatively impacted by treatment with fruquintinib.

 

ASCO presentations showed that in subgroup analyses by prior lines of therapies up to six or more and by prior treatment with approved agents, fruquintinib improved OS and PFS for all subgroups and prior therapies, consistent with those of the overall study population. A separate study showed that during the study adverse events of special interest led to low rates of dose reduction (13.6% for patients who received fruquintinib vs 0.9% for patients who received placebo) and dose discontinuation (8.3% for patients who received fruquintinib vs 6.1% for patients who received placebo).

 

Outcomes from the Japanese cohort was presented at JSMO 2023. Fruquintinib treatment led to results for Japanese patients in the study consistent with the overall study population.

 

Filing of a rolling submission of an NDA was accepted by the FDA in May 2023 for priority review, with PDUFA date of November 30, 2023. MAA filing to the EMA was validated in June 2023. NDA filing to the PMDA is expected to follow in 2023.

 

China Phase IV (NCT04005066) - Results presented at ASCO 2023 from a prospective, 3,005-patient study to evaluate the safety of fruquintinib in real-world clinical practice in China are consistent with the fruquintinib safety profile observed in existing clinical studies, with no new or significant safety signals identified.

 

Fruquintinib - Gastric cancer updates:

FRUTIGA (NCT03223376) - This randomized, double-blind, Phase III study in China to evaluate fruquintinib combined with paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel monotherapy, for second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer, enrolled approximately 700 patients in July 2022. Its co-primary endpoints are PFS and OS. The trial met the PFS endpoint at a statistically and clinically meaningful level. The OS endpoint was not statistically significant per the pre-specified statistical plan, although there was an improvement in median OS. Fruquintinib also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in secondary endpoints including ORR, DCR^[60] and DoR^[61]. The safety profile of fruquintinib in FRUTIGA was consistent with previously reported studies. In April 2023, the NDA in China was accepted for review by the NMPA. Full detailed results are subject to ongoing analysis and are expected to be disclosed at an upcoming scientific meeting.

 

Fruquintinib - Combinations with checkpoint inhibitors updates:

Advanced endometrial cancer registration-intent cohort of TYVYT^® combination (NCT03903705) - Platinum-based systemic chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for advanced endometrial cancer in China. However, patients who progress following first-line therapy have limited treatment options, and the prognosis remains poor. Initially presented at CSCO 2021, data in this endometrial cancer cohort is encouraging.

 

We agreed with the NMPA to expand this cohort into a single-arm registrational Phase II study. In July 2023, the cohort fully enrolled and was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation. Favorable results from this trial could lead to a regulatory approval application to the NMPA in this treatment setting in 2024.

 

Advanced metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (NCT05522231) - In first-line clear-cell RCC, clinical benefits have been demonstrated for the combination of antiangiogenic therapy and immunotherapy. However, there is limited evidence on the benefits of this combination in the second-line setting. Phase II (NCT03903705) data disclosed at ASCO 2023 showed encouraging anti-tumor efficacy and durability in these patients. PFS results from this exploratory study of the fruquintinib and sintilimab combination in metastatic clear-cell RCC were reported. At data cut-off on November 30, 2022, median PFS was 15.9 months in 20 previously treated patients. No new safety signals were observed.

 

A Phase II/III trial of fruquintinib in combination with TYVYT^® as second-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic RCC was initiated in October 2022. The study is a randomized, open-label, active-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in combination with TYVYT^® versus axitinib or everolimus monotherapy for the second-line treatment of advanced RCC. The primary endpoint is PFS. Approximately 260 patients will be enrolled in the study.

 

Fruquintinib - Exploratory development:

In China, we support an investigator initiated trial program for fruquintinib, and there are over 50 of such trials ongoing in various solid tumor settings. A number of investigator-initiated trials were presented at ASCO 2023, including initial results of a Phase II study of fruquintinib in combination with investigator's choice of chemotherapy in second-line metastatic CRC with microsatellite stable (MSS) phenotype, as well as fruquintinib monotherapy for the treatment of biliary tract cancer and soft tissue sarcoma.

 

Fruquintinib - Partnership with Takeda:

In January 2023, HUTCHMED entered into an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize fruquintinib in all indications and territories outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, where it is marketed and will continue to be marketed by HUTCHMED in partnership with Lilly. Subject to the terms of the agreement, HUTCHMED will be eligible to receive up to $1.13 billion, including $400 million which was received in April 2023 on closing of the agreement, and up to $730 million in additional potential payments relating to regulatory, development and commercial sales milestones, as well as royalties on net sales.

 

Surufatinib (SULANDA^® in China)

 

Surufatinib is a novel, oral angio-immuno kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated with VEGFR and FGFR, both shown to be involved in tumor angiogenesis, and CSF-1R, which plays a key role in regulating tumor-associated macrophages, promoting the body's immune response against tumor cells. Surufatinib has been studied in clinical trials with around 1,800 patients to date, both as a monotherapy and in combinations, and is approved in China. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to surufatinib worldwide.

 

Surufatinib's ability to inhibit angiogenesis, block the accumulation of tumor associated macrophages and promote infiltration of effector T cells into tumors could help improve the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 antibodies. Several combination studies with PD-1 antibodies have shown promising data. A summary of the clinical studies of surufatinib is shown in the table below.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Surufatinib monotherapy	NETs	Japan	Bridging	Ongoing since 2021	NCT05077384
Surufatinib monotherapy	SANET-ep: epNET[62]	China	III	Approved; Launched in 2021	NCT02588170
Surufatinib monotherapy	SANET-p: pNET[63]	China	III	Approved; Launched in 2021	NCT02589821
Surufatinib + TUOYI® (PD-1)	SURTORI-01: 2L NEC[64]	China	III	Ongoing since 2021	NCT05015621
Surufatinib + TUOYI® (PD-1)	NENs[65], GC, ESCC, SCLC[66], NSCLC, EMC, TC, STS, BTC	China	II	Fully enrolled; Data at AACR 2023 & ASCO 2023	NCT04169672
Surufatinib + TUOYI® (PD-1)	SCLC	China	II	Ongoing since 2022	NCT05509699

 

 

Surufatinib - Monotherapy in NET updates:

Ex-China regulatory discussions - Surufatinib received FDA Fast Track Designations in April 2020 for the treatment of pNETs and epNETs. Orphan Drug Designation for pNETs was granted in November 2019. While discussions in 2020 suggested that two positive Phase III studies of surufatinib in patients with pNETs and epNETs in China, could form the basis to support a U.S. NDA submission, this was ultimately not accepted. A new multi-regional clinical trial (MRCT) would be required to move forward with this program in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Following dialogue with the Japanese PMDA, we have decided not to file a Japanese NDA on the basis of the clinical trial data available at this time.

 

Surufatinib - Combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors:

A Phase II China study (NCT04169672) combining surufatinib with TUOYI^® enrolled patients in nine solid tumor types, including NENs, biliary tract cancer, gastric cancer, thyroid cancer, SCLC, soft tissue sarcoma, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer and NSCLC. These have led to the initiation in September 2021 of the first Phase III trial combining surufatinib with a PD-1 antibody, the SURTORI-01 study in NEC and a Phase II study in SCLC in 2022.

 

We reported the results from the advanced thyroid cancer and endometrial cancer cohorts at ASCO 2023. Amongst efficacy evaluable radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer patients, median PFS was 10.9 months and median OS was not reached (median follow-up duration was 22.1 months). Amongst efficacy evaluable endometrial cancer patients, median PFS was 5.4 months and 12-month OS rate was 71.0% (median follow-up duration was 16.8 months). In both cohorts, the combination showed a tolerable safety profile. Additionally, results from the NSCLC cohort were presented at AACR 2023 demonstrating promising anti-tumor activity in first-line setting for advanced PD-L1 positive NSCLC patients with manageable toxicity.

 

Surufatinib - Exploratory development:

In China, we support an investigator-initiated trial program for surufatinib, with over 80 of such trials in various solid tumor settings being conducted for both combination and single agent regimens. These trials explore and answer important medical questions in addition to our own company-sponsored clinical trials. A number of investigator initiated trials were presented at ASCO 2023 for surufatinib in combination with other agents, including with chemotherapy as well as with camrelizumab (an anti-PD-1 antibody) plus different chemotherapy regimens in various solid types including pancreatic adenocarcinoma and NSCLC.

 

Hematological Malignancies Candidates

 

HUTCHMED currently has six investigational drug candidates targeting hematological malig-nan-cies in clinical development. Sovleplenib (HMPL-523, targeting Syk), amdizalisib (HMPL-689, targeting PI3Kδ), and HMPL‑760 (targeting BTK) are being studied in several trials against B-cell dominant malignancies. In addition to the three B-cell receptor pathway inhibitors, HUTCHMED is also develop-ing HMPL-306 (targeting IDH1 and IDH2), tazemetostat (a methyl-trans-ferase inhibitor of EZH2) and HMPL-A83 (an anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody).

 

Sovleplenib (HMPL-523)

 

Sovleplenib is a novel, selective, oral inhibitor targeting Syk, for the treatment of hematological malignancies and immune diseases. Syk is a component in Fc receptor and B-cell receptor signaling pathway. Sovleplenib has been studied in clinical trials with around 500 patients to date.

 

In December 2022, we completed recruitment of a Phase III study in China for primary ITP, for which it has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation, and presented proof of concept data on both primary ITP and hematological malignancies at ASH^[67] 2021. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to sovleplenib worldwide. The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for sovleplenib.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Sovleplenib monotherapy	ESLIM-01: ≥2L ITP	China	III	Fully enrolled; Topline results expected in H2 2023; Breakthrough Therapy Designation	NCT05029635
Sovleplenib monotherapy	Indolent NHL[68]	U.S. / Europe	I/Ib	Ongoing; Prelim. Data at ASH 2021	NCT03779113
Sovleplenib monotherapy	Warm AIHA	China	II/III	Phase II fully enrolled; Phase III decision in 2023 pending Phase II results	NCT05535933

 

ESLIM-01 (Evaluation of Sovleplenib for immunological diseases-01, NCT05029635) - In October 2021, we initiated a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase III trial in China of sovleplenib in 188 adult patients with primary ITP who have received at least one prior line of standard therapy. ITP is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to increased risk of bleeding. The primary endpoint of the study is the durable response rate. In January 2022, the NMPA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for this indication. Enrollment was completed in December 2022 and we expect to release topline results in the second half of 2023.

 

China Phase II/III in warm AIHA - This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II/III study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of sovleplenib in the treatment of warm AIHA. AIHA is the result of destruction of red blood cells due to the production of antibodies against red blood cells which bind to antigens on the red blood cell membrane in autoimmune disorders. If the results of the Phase II stage of the study indicate sufficiently satisfactory efficacy and safety, the Phase III stage will be initiated. The first patient was enrolled in September 2022. The enrollment of Phase II part of the study was completed in mid-2023, and the results will lead to a decision on whether to initiate Phase III.

 

Amdizalisib (HMPL-689)

 

Amdizalisib is a novel, highly selective oral inhibitor targeting the isoform PI3Kδ, a key component in the B-cell receptor signaling pathway. Amdizalisib's pharmacokinetic properties have been found to be favorable with good oral absorption, moderate tissue distribution and low clearance in preclinical studies. We also expect that amdizalisib will have low risk of drug accumulation and drug-drug interactions, supporting feasibility of development in combination with other drugs. The first of such activities is in combination with tazemetostat. Amdizalisib has been studied in clinical trials with around 400 patients to date. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to amdizalisib worldwide. The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for amdizalisib.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Amdizalisib monotherapy	Indolent NHL, peripheral T-cell lymphomas	China	Ib	Ongoing; Updated data presented at ICML 2023	NCT03128164
Amdizalisib monotherapy	3L Relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma	China	II registration-intent	Fully enrolled; Breakthrough Therapy Designation	NCT04849351
Amdizalisib monotherapy	2L Relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma	China	II registration-intent	Ongoing since Apr 2021	NCT04849351

 

Phase II registration-intent trial (NCT04849351) - In April 2021, we commenced a registration-intent, single-arm, open-label Phase II trial in China in approximately 100 patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma and approximately 80 patients with relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma, two subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The primary endpoint is ORR. The trial is being conducted in over 35 sites in China, has fully enrolled the follicular lymphoma cohort and the marginal zone lymphoma cohort enrollment is ongoing.

 

Phase Ib expansion study in relapsed/refractory lymphoma (NCT03128164) - This is a open‑label study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of amdizalisib in relapsed and/or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Updated safety data in all patients at recommended Phase II dose (RP2D), as well as updated efficacy data from the follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and peripheral T cell lymphoma cohorts were reported at ICML in June 2023. At median follow-up duration of 22.1 months, median DoR and PFS were not reached for the 26 efficacy evaluable patients in the follicular lymphoma cohort. PFS and DoR from the marginal zone lymphoma cohort were presented for the first time, at median follow-up duration of 20.3 months. Median DoR was not reached and median PFS was 26.8 months for the 16 efficacy evaluable patients in this cohort. Amdizalisib showed an acceptable safety profile and promising anti-tumor activity in relapsed/refractory lymphoma.

 

Tazemetostat

 

In August 2021, we entered into a strategic collaboration with Epizyme, a subsidiary of Ipsen, to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize tazemetostat in Greater China, including the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Tazemetostat is an inhibitor of EZH2 developed by Ipsen that is approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of certain epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma patients. It received accelerated approval from the FDA based on ORR and DoR in January and June 2020 for epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma, respectively. Tazemetostat has been studied in clinical trials with around 1,200 patients to date.

 

We are developing and plan to seek approval for tazemetostat in various hematological and solid tumors in China. We are participating in Ipsen's SYMPHONY-1 (EZH-302) study, leading it in China. We are generally responsible for funding all clinical trials of tazemetostat in China, including the portion of global trials conducted there. Separately, we are conducting a China bridging study in follicular lymphoma for potential conditional registration based on its U.S. approvals. We also initiated a Phase II study in combination with our PI3Kδ inhibitor amdizalisib in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma in February 2023. We are responsible for the research, manufacturing and commercialization of tazemetostat in China. Tazemetostat was approved in China Hainan Pilot Zone in 2022 and the Macau Special Administrative Region in 2023.

 

The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for tazemetostat.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
Tazemetostat monotherapy	Metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma; Relapsed/refractory 3L+ follicular lymphoma	Hainan, Macau	N/A - Hainan Pilot Zone, Macau	Approved; Launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively	N/A
Tazemetostat + lenalidomide + rituximab (R²)	SYMPHONY-1: 2L follicular lymphoma	Global	Ib/III	Ongoing; PhIb data at ASH 2022; China portion of global Ph III started H2 2022	NCT04224493
Tazemetostat monotherapy	Relapsed/refractory 3L+ follicular lymphoma	China	II registration-intent (bridging)	Ongoing since July 2022; EZH2-wildtype cohort fully enrolled; EZH2-mutant cohort enrolling	NCT05467943
Tazemetostat + amdizalisib	Lymphoma sub-types	China	II	Ongoing since Feb 2023	NCT05713110

 

China Phase II combination study in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (NCT05713110) - This is an open-label, Phase II study in approximately 140 patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary anti-tumor efficacy of tazemetostat in combination with amdizalisib in patients with R/R lymphoma. The first patient was dosed in February 2023.

 

HMPL-453

 

HMPL-453 is a novel, selective, oral inhibitor targeting FGFR 1/2/3. Aberrant FGFR signaling is associated with tumor growth, promotion of angiogenesis, as well as resistance to anti-tumor therapies. Approximately 10-15% of IHCC patients have tumors harboring FGFR2 fusion. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-453 worldwide. The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for HMPL-453.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-453 monotherapy	2L Cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC with FGFR fusion)	China	II	Ongoing since 2020; Registration cohort enrolling since March 2023	NCT04353375
HMPL-453 + chemotherapies	Multiple	China	I/II	Ongoing since 2022	NCT05173142
HMPL-453 +TUOYI® (PD‑1)	Multiple	China	I/II	Ongoing since 2022	NCT05173142

 

China Phase II in IHCC (NCT04353375) - This is an open-label, single-arm Phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMPL-453 in the treatment of patients with advanced IHCC harboring FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements after at least one line of systemic treatment failure or intolerance. Results from 25 patients treated with two different dosing regimens were presented at the ASCO 2023 annual meeting, supporting the choice of a recommended Phase II dose. After consultation with the CDE, a monotherapy registration trial design was agreed, and the first patient was enrolled in March 2023. 

 

HMPL-306

 

HMPL-306 is a novel dual-inhibitor of IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations have been implicated as drivers of certain hematological malignancies, gliomas and solid tumors, particularly among acute myeloid leukemia patients. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-306 worldwide. The table below shows a summary of the clinical studies for HMPL-306.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-306 monotherapy	Hematological malignancies	China	I	Ongoing since 2020; RP2D determined; Dose escalation data at EHA 2023	NCT04272957
HMPL-306 monotherapy	Solid tumors including but not limited to gliomas, chondrosarcomas or cholangiocarcinomas	U.S.	I	Ongoing since 2021	NCT04762602
HMPL-306 monotherapy	Hematological malignancies	U.S.	I	Ongoing since 2021	NCT04764474

 

China Phase I in hematological malignancies (NCT04272957) - This is a two-phase, open-label Phase I study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of HMPL‑306 in patients of relapsed or refractory hematological malignancies harboring IDH1 and/or IDH2 mutations. The dose escalation phase of the study is completed. The first-in-human dose-escalation phase data was presented at EHA Annual Meeting in June 2023. Based on the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and preliminary clinical findings, a recommended Phase II dose was nominated for the dose expansion phase of the study.

 

HMPL-760

 

HMPL-760 is an investigational, non-covalent, third-generation BTK inhibitor. It is a highly potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor with long target engagement against BTK, including wild-type and C481S-mutated BTK. China Phase I studies opened in early 2022 will include relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or CLL^[69] patients with or without a prior regimen containing a BTK inhibitor. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-760 worldwide.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-760 monotherapy	CLL, SLL[70], other B-NHL	China	I	Ongoing since Jan 2022	NCT05190068

 

 

HMPL-295

 

HMPL-295 is a novel ERK inhibitor. ERK is a downstream component of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade (MAPK pathway). This is our first of multiple candidates in discovery targeting the MAPK pathway, followed by HMPL-415 targeting SHP2. A China Phase I study was initiated in July 2021 for HMPL-295. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-295 worldwide.

 

RAS-MAPK pathway is dysregulated in cancer, in which mutations or non-genetic events hyper-activate the pathway in up to 50% of cancers. RAS and RAF predict worse clinical prognosis in a wide variety of tumor types, mediate resistance to targeted therapies, and decrease the response to the approved standards of care, namely, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. ERK inhibition has the potential to overcome or avoid the intrinsic or acquired resistance from the inhibition of RAS, RAF and MEK upstream mechanisms.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-295 monotherapy	Solid tumors	China	I	Ongoing since 2021	NCT04908046

 

 

HMPL-653

 

HMPL-653 is a novel, highly selective, and potent CSF-1R inhibitor designed to target CSF-1R driven tumors as a monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. We initiated a China Phase I study in January 2022. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-653 worldwide.

 

CSF-1R is usually expressed on the surface of macrophages and can promote growth and differentiation of macrophages. Studies have shown that blocking the CSF-1R signaling pathway could effectively modulate the tumor microenvironment, relieve tumor immunosuppression, and synergize with other anti-cancer therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors to achieve tumor inhibition. It has been demonstrated in several clinical studies that CSF-1R inhibitors could treat tenosynovial giant cell tumors, and treat a variety of malignancies in combinations. Currently no CSF-1R inhibitor has been approved in China.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-653 monotherapy	Solid tumors & tenosynovial giant cell tumors	China	I	Ongoing since Jan 2022; ~110 expected to be enrolled	NCT05190068

 

 

HMPL-A83

 

HMPL-A83 is an investigational IgG4-type humanized anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody that exhibits high affinity for CD47. HMPL-A83 blocks CD47 binding to Signal regulatory protein (SIRP) α and disrupts the "do not eat me" signal that cancer cells use to shield themselves from the immune system. In preclinical studies, HMPL‑A83 demonstrated a high affinity for CD47 antigen on tumor cells and strong phagocytosis induction of multiple tumor cells, as well as weak affinity for red blood cells and no induction of hemagglutination, implying low risk of anemia, a potential event of special interest. HMPL-A83 has also demonstrated strong anti-tumor activity in multiple animal models. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-A83 worldwide.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-A83 monotherapy	Advanced malignant neoplasms	China	I	Ongoing since July 2022	NCT05429008

 

 

HMPL-415

 

HMPL-415 is a novel SHP2 allosteric inhibitor. A China Phase I study was initiated in July 2023. HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to HMPL-415 worldwide.

 

SHP2 is a non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase ubiquitously expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of several tissues. SHP2 modulates diverse cell signaling events that control metabolism, cell growth, differentiation, cell migration, transcription and oncogenic transformation. It interacts with diverse molecules in the cell, and regulates key signaling events including RAS/ERK, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT and PD-1 pathways downstream of several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) upon stimulation by growth factors and cytokines. This is the second of multiple candidates to have emerged from our discovery research that targets this pathway, the first being HMPL-295. Dysregulation of SHP2 expression or activity causes many developmental diseases, and hematological and solid tumors.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
HMPL-415 monotherapy	Solid tumors	China	I	Ongoing since 2023	NCT05886374

 

 

Immunology Collaboration with Inmagene

 

We have a strategic partnership with Inmagene, a clinical development stage company with a focus on immunological diseases, to further develop novel preclinical drug candidates we discovered for the potential treatment of multiple immunological diseases. Funded by Inmagene, we worked together to move two drug candidates towards clinical trials. Inmagene advanced the drug candidates through global clinical development.

 

Treatment	Name, Line, Patient Focus	Sites	Phase	Status/Plan	NCT #
IMG-007 (OX40 antibody)	Adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis	Global	II	Open for enrollment in July 2023	Pending
IMG-007 (OX40 antibody)	Adult healthy volunteers	Australia	I	Single ascending dose completed	NCT05353972
IMG-004 (BTK inhibitor)	Adult healthy volunteers	Global	I	Single ascending dose completed	NCT05349097

 

IMG-007 in atopic dermatitis - This is a novel antagonistic monoclonal antibody targeting the OX40 receptor. OX40 is a costimulatory receptor member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily expressed predominantly on activated T cells. A global, proof-of-concept trial in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is open for enrollment. This follows a Phase I single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers that demonstrated that IMG-007, up to 600 mg, was safe and well-tolerated, with no reports of pyrexia or chills, which were common adverse events of rocatinlimab, another OX40 antibody treatment. At projected therapeutic dose levels, IMG-007 also demonstrated a mean terminal half-life of 31-37 days. The long half-life combined with a potentially improved safety profile supports IMG-007's best-in-class potential as an OX40 targeted therapy.

 

IMG-004 in immunological diseases - This is a small molecule inhibitor that binds to BTK in a non-covalent, reversible manner. Designed specifically for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that usually require long-term treatment, IMG-004 is potent, highly selective and brain permeable. A Phase I single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers in the U.S., initiated in August 2022, has recently completed. It showed that IMG‑004 was safe and well-tolerated with a long half-life and sustained pharmacodynamic effects, supporting further clinical development. Results will be submitted to an upcoming medical conference.

 

MANUFACTURING

 

We continue to use contract manufacturing organizations in China to produce our clinical and commercial API^[71] supplies. For manufacturing drug products, we currently use a combination of contract manufacturers and our internal manufacturing facility.

 

We have a drug product facility in Suzhou which manufactures both clinical and commercial supplies for some of our products. We have also completed construction of a new drug product facility in Pudong, Shanghai, which will increase our novel drug product manufacturing capacity by over five times. The qualification of the Shanghai facility and its equipment is underway and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. The clinical manufacturing and technology transfer for some of our commercial products is expected to start in the next few months. This is in line with our previously outlined expectations of manufacturing clinical supplies from the new facility starting in 2023 and commercial supplies around 2025, after the necessary regulatory filings and approvals.

 

We completed technology transfer for the API and drug product of amdizalisib and sovleplenib into the selected commercial manufacturing facilities in preparation for potential NDA filings. Process validation for these products (both API and drug product) are now complete.

 

We completed the NDA enabling work related to manufacturing for the global launch of fruquintinib at the commercial manufacturing sites. Process validation for API of this product was completed last year, and process validation for drug product at our Suzhou facility was completed earlier this year. A second drug product facility in Switzerland is also planned to be qualified in the second half of 2023, in anticipation for a potential European approval.

 

OTHER VENTURES

 

Our Other Ventures include drug marketing and distribution platforms covering about 290 cities and towns in China with over 3,000 mainly manufacturing and commercial personnel. Built over the past 20 years, it primarily focuses on prescription drugs and science-based nutrition products through several joint ventures and subsidiary companies.

 

In the first six months of 2023, our Other Ventures delivered encouraging growth with consolidated revenues up 57% (67% at CER) to $173.7 million (H1-22: $110.9m). Consolidated net income attributable to HUTCHMED from our Other Ventures increased by 5% (12% at CER) to $37.2 million (H1-22: $35.4m).

 

Hutchison Sinopharm^[72]: Our prescription drugs commercial services business, which in addition to providing certain commercial services for our own products, provides services to third-party pharmaceutical companies in China, grew sales by 68% (79% at CER) to $166.7 million in the first half of 2023 (H1-22: $99.3m).

 

In 2021, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre made a final award in favor of Hutchison Sinopharm against Luye^[73] in the amount of RMB253.2 million ($35.4 million), plus costs and interest (the "Award"), in connection with the termination of Hutchison Sinopharm's right to distribute SEROQUEL^® in China. In June 2022, Luye provided a bank guarantee of up to RMB286.0 million to cover the Award, pending the outcome of an application by Luye to the High Court of Hong Kong to set aside the Award. On July 26, 2022, Luye's application to set aside the Award was dismissed by the High Court with costs awarded in favor of Hutchison Sinopharm. On June 6, 2023, an appeal hearing filed by Luye was heard by the Court of Appeal in Hong Kong and judgement is awaited.

 

SHPL: Our own-brand prescription drugs business, operated through our non-consolidated joint venture SHPL, grew sales by 11% (19% at CER) to $235.3 million (H1-22: $212.4m). This sales growth and favorable product mix led to an increase of 5% (12% at CER) in net income attributable to HUTCHMED to $35.1 million (H1-22: $33.6m).

 

The SHPL operation is large-scale, with a commercial team of about 2,300 staff managing the medical detailing and marketing of its products not just in hospitals in provincial capitals and medium-sized cities, but also in the majority of county-level hospitals in China. SHPL's Good Manufacturing Practice-certified factory holds 74 drug product manufacturing licenses and is operated by about 550 manufacturing staff.

 

SXBX^[74] pill: SHPL's main product is SXBX pill, an oral vasodilator prescription therapy for coronary artery disease. SXBX pill is the second largest botanical prescription drug in this indication in China, with a national market share in the first five months of 2023 of 22.2% (first four months of 2022: 21.5%). Sales increased by 8% (16% at CER) to $214.5 million in the first half of 2023 (H1-22: $197.9m).

 

SXBX pill is protected by a formulation patent that expires in 2029, but also retains certain state protection that extends indefinitely, and is one of less than two dozen proprietary prescription drugs represented on China's National Essential Medicines List (NEML). Inclusion on this list means that all Chinese state-owned health care institutions are required to carry it. SXBX pill is fully reimbursed in all of China.

 

We continue to explore divestment and equity capital market opportunities to monetize our investment in SHPL.

 

Dividends: Our share of SHPL's profits are passed to the HUTCHMED Group through dividend payments. In the first six months of 2023, dividends of $14.6 million (H1-22: $22.7m) were paid from SHPL to the HUTCHMED Group level with aggregate dividends received by HUTCHMED since inception of over $300 million.

 

 

 

Weiguo Su
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer
July 31, 2023

 

 

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATION

 

In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, this announcement also contains certain non-GAAP financial measures based on management's view of performance including:

 

·      Adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities

 

·      CER

 

Management uses such measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the HUTCHMED Group's overall performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures provide useful and meaningful information to us and investors because they enhance investors' understanding of the continuing operating performance of our business and facilitate the comparison of performance between past and future periods. These adjusted financial measures are non-GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Other companies may define these measures in different ways.

 

Adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities: We exclude deposits in and proceeds from short-term investments for the period, and exclude the net cash generated from financing activities for the period to derive our adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities. We believe the presentation of adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities provides useful and meaningful information about the change in our cash resources excluding those from financing activities which may present significant period-to-period differences.

 

CER: We remove the effects of currency movements from period-to-period comparisons by retranslating the current period's performance at previous period's foreign currency exchange rates. Because we have significant operations in China, the RMB to U.S. dollar exchange rates used for translation may have a significant effect on our reported results. We believe the presentation at CER provides useful and meaningful information because it facilitates period-to-period comparisons of our results and increases the transparency of our underlying performance.

 

Reconciliation of GAAP change in net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities to Adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities:

$'millions		H1 2023	H1 2022
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities		226.4	(89.9)
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities		(316.0)	259.7
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(6.6)	(5.2)
Excludes: Deposits in short-term investments		835.1	578.6
Excludes: Proceeds from short-term investments		(519.6)	(854.1)
Adjusted Group net cash flows excluding financing activities		219.3	(110.9)

 

Reconciliation of GAAP revenues and net income attributable to HUTCHMED to CER:

$'millions (except %)	Six Months Ended			Change Amount				Change %
	June 30, 2023	June 30, 2022		Actual	CER	Exchange effect		Actual	CER	Exchange effect
Consolidated revenues	532.9	202.0		330.9	348.9	(18.0)		164%	173%	-9%
- Oncology/Immunology*	359.2	91.1		268.1	274.4	(6.3)		294%	301%	-7%
* Includes:
- Products Sales	80.1	63.5		16.6	22.4	(5.8)		26%	35%	-9%
- ELUNATE®	42.0	36.0		6.0	9.1	(3.1)		16%	25%	-9%
- SULANDA®	22.6	13.6		9.0	10.7	(1.7)		66%	79%	-13%
- ORPATHYS®	15.1	13.8		1.3	2.3	(1.0)		10%	17%	-7%
- TAZVERIK®	0.4	0.1		0.3	0.3	-		560%	583%	-23%
- Other R&D services income	20.4	12.6		7.8	8.3	(0.5)		62%	66%	-4%
- Other Ventures^	173.7	110.9		62.8	74.5	(11.7)		57%	67%	-10%
^ Includes:
- Hutchison Sinopharm - prescription drugs	166.7	99.3		67.4	78.8	(11.4)		68%	79%	-11%
Non-consolidated joint venture revenues
- SHPL	235.3	212.4		22.9	39.0	(16.1)		11%	19%	-8%
- SXBX pill	214.5	197.9		16.6	32.0	(15.4)		8%	16%	-8%
Consolidated net income attributable to HUTCHMED - Other Ventures	37.2	35.4		1.8	4.2	(2.4)		5%	12%	-7%
- Consolidated entities	2.1	1.8		0.3	0.4	(0.1)		11%	19%	-8%
- Equity investees - SHPL	35.1	33.6		1.5	3.8	(2.3)		5%	12%	-7%

GROUP CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

To date, we have taken a multi-source approach to fund our operations, including through cash flows generated and dividend payments from our Oncology/Immunology and Other Ventures operations, service and milestone and upfront payments from our collaboration partners, bank borrowings, investments from third parties, proceeds from our listings on various stock exchanges and follow-on offerings.

 

Primarily due to a recognition of $258.7 million in partnering revenue from the upfront payment from Takeda, commercial progress achieved on our three in-house developed oncology medicines in China, as well as growth in our third-party distribution sales, we generated a net income of $168.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (H1-22: net loss of $162.9m).

 

As of June 30, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $856.2 million and unutilized bank facilities of $65.3 million. As of June 30, 2023, we had $40.1 million in bank borrowings.

 

Certain of our subsidiaries and joint ventures, including those registered as wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China, are required to set aside at least 10.0% of their after-tax profits to their general reserves until such reserves reach 50.0% of their registered capital. In addition, certain of our joint ventures are required to allocate certain of their after-tax profits as determined in accordance with related regulations and their respective articles of association to the reserve funds, upon approval of the board.

 

Profit appropriated to the reserve funds for our subsidiaries and joint ventures incorporated in the PRC was approximately $127,000 and nil for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In addition, as a result of PRC regulations restricting dividend distributions from such reserve funds and from a company's registered capital, our PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a certain amount of their net assets to us as cash dividends, loans or advances. This restricted portion amounted to $0.1 million as of June 30, 2023.

 

In addition, our non-consolidated joint venture, SHPL, held an aggregate of $43.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and no bank borrowings as of June 30, 2023. Such cash and cash equivalents are only accessible by us through dividend payments from the joint venture. The level of dividends declared by the joint venture is subject to agreement each year between us and our joint venture partner based on the profitability and working capital needs of the joint venture.

 

CASH FLOW

		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023		2022
		(in $'000)
Cash Flow Data:
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities		226,403		(89,859)
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities		(315,957)		259,706
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities		5,830		(74,638)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(83,724)		95,209
Effect of exchange rate changes		(6,558)		(5,249)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		313,278		377,542
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		222,996		467,502

 

Net Cash generated from/(used in) Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $89.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net cash generated from operating activities of $226.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The net change of $316.3 million was primarily attributable to the net loss attributable to HUTCHMED of $162.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to net income attributable to HUTCHMED of $168.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (which included $258.7 million in upfront income recognized from Takeda).

 

Net Cash (used in)/generated from Investing Activities

Net cash generated from investing activities was $259.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $316.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The net change of $575.7 million was primarily attributable to short-term investments which had net withdrawals of $275.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to net deposits of $315.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The net change was partially offset by a dividend of $23.9 million received from divestment of a former equity investee during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

Net Cash generated from/(used in) Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $74.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net cash generated from financing activities of $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The net change of $80.4 million was mainly attributable to bank borrowings which had a net repayment of $26.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to net proceeds of $22.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2023. The net change was also attributable to a decrease in purchases of ADSs of $39.0 million by a trustee for the settlement of equity awards of the Company which totaled $48.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, partly offset by dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders of subsidiaries of $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 while there was no such dividend payment for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

LOAN FACILITIES 

In October 2021, our subsidiary entered into a 10-year fixed asset loan facility agreement with Bank of China Limited for the provision of a secured credit facility in the amount of RMB754.9 million ($105.5 million) with an annual interest rate at the 5-year China Loan Prime Rate less 0.8% (which was supplemented in June 2022). This credit facility is guaranteed by another subsidiary of the Group, and secured by the underlying leasehold land and buildings, and includes certain financial covenant requirements. As of June 30, 2023, RMB287.3 million ($40.1 million) was utilized from the fixed asset loan facility.

 

In May 2022, our subsidiary entered into a 12-month revolving loan facility with HSBC in the amount of HK$390.0 million ($50.0 million) with an interest rate at HIBOR^[75] plus 0.5% per annum. This revolving facility is guaranteed by us. The revolving loan facility expired in May 2023.

 

Our non-consolidated joint venture SHPL had no bank borrowings outstanding as of June 30, 2023.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2023. Our purchase obligations relate to property, plant and equipment that are contracted for but not yet paid. Our lease obligations primarily comprise future aggregate minimum lease payments in respect of various factories, warehouses, offices and other assets under non-cancellable lease agreements.

 

	Payment Due by Period (in $'000)
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Bank borrowings	40,147		-		1,596		4,786		33,765
Interest on bank borrowings	9,231		1,365		2,716		2,508		2,642
Purchase obligations	5,039		4,687		352		-		-
Lease obligations	11,648		5,325		4,676		1,647		-
	66,065		11,377		9,340		8,941		36,407

 

SHPL

The following table sets forth the contractual obligations of our non-consolidated joint venture SHPL as of June 30, 2023. SHPL's purchase obligations comprise capital commitments for property, plant and equipment contracted for but not yet paid. SHPL's lease obligations primarily comprise future aggregate minimum lease payments in respect of various offices under non-cancellable lease agreements.

 

	Payment Due by Period (in $'000)
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Purchase obligations	1,168		1,168		-		-		-
Lease obligations	1,771		832		939		-		-
	2,939		2,000		939		-		-

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK

 

A substantial portion of our revenues and expenses are denominated in renminbi, and our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. While we do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge our exposure to such risk, any significant fluctuation in the value of renminbi may adversely affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition in the future.

 

The value of the renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China's political and economic conditions. The conversion of renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, has been based on rates set by the PBOC^[76]. If we decide to convert renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us. On the other hand, if we need to convert U.S. dollars into renminbi for business purposes, e.g. capital expenditures and working capital, appreciation of the renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have a negative effect on the renminbi amounts we would receive from the conversion. In addition, for certain cash and bank balances deposited with banks in the PRC, if we decide to convert them into foreign currencies, they are subject to the rules and regulations of foreign exchange control promulgated by the PRC government.

 

CREDIT RISK

 

Substantially all of our bank deposits are in major financial institutions, which we believe are of high credit quality. We limit the amount of credit exposure to any single financial institution. We make periodic assessments of the recoverability of trade and other receivables and amounts due from related parties. Our historical experience in collection of receivables falls within the recorded allowances, and we believe that we have made adequate provision for uncollectible receivables.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK

 

We have no significant interest-bearing assets except for bank deposits. Our exposure to changes in interest rates is mainly attributable to our bank borrowings, which bear interest at floating interest rates and expose us to cash flow interest rate risk. We have not used any interest rate swaps to hedge our exposure to interest rate risk. We have performed sensitivity analysis for the effects on our results for the period from changes in interest rates on floating rate borrowings. The sensitivity to interest rates used is based on the market forecasts available at the end of the reporting period and under the economic environments in which we operate, with other variables held constant. According to the analysis, the impact on our results of a 1.0% interest rate shift would be nil for the six months ended June 30, 2023 because the entire interest expenses incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were associated with our outstanding fixed asset loan and were capitalized when the underlying property, plant and equipment were under construction.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We did not have during the years presented, and we do not currently have, any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

Other than as disclosed in note 11 to the interim financial statements, the Group does not have any other significant commitments or contingent liabilities.

 

GEARING RATIO

 

The gearing ratio of the Group, which was calculated by dividing total interest-bearing loans by total equity, was 5.0% as of June 30, 2023, an increase from 2.8% as of December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in interest-bearing loans.

 

SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS HELD

 

Except for our investment in a non-consolidated joint venture SHPL with a carrying value of $37.7 million including details below and those as disclosed in note 7 to the interim financial statements, we did not hold any other significant investments in the equity of any other companies as of June 30, 2023.

 

Place of establishment and operations		Nominal Value of Registered Capital		Equity Interest Attributable to the Group		Principal activities
		(in RMB'000)
PRC		229,000		50%		Manufacture and distribution of prescription drug products

 

 

Our own-brand prescription drugs business under our Other Ventures is operated through SHPL. Dividends received from SHPL for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $14.6 million.

 

FUTURE PLANS FOR MATERIAL INVESTMENTS AND CAPITAL ASSETS

 

Note 11 discloses our capital commitment as of June 30, 2023. We are building a new drug product facility in Shanghai, China, and will make additional investments in capital assets accordingly.

 

MATERIAL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS OF SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we did not have any other material acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

 

PLEDGE OF ASSETS

 

Our 10-year fixed asset loan facility agreement with Bank of China Limited is secured by the underlying leasehold land and buildings. RMB287.3 million ($40.1 million) was utilized from the fixed asset loan facility as of June 30, 2023.

 

INFLATION

 

In recent years, China has not experienced significant inflation, and thus inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the Consumer Price Index in China increased by 1.5%, 1.8% and flat in 2021, 2022 and the first half of 2023, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.

INTERIM DIVIDEND

 

The Board does not recommend any interim dividend for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

CORPORATE STRATEGY

 

The primary objective of the Company is to be a leader in the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. The strategy of the Company is to leverage the highly specialized expertise of the drug discovery division, the Oncology/Immunology operations, to develop and expand the drug candidate portfolio of the Group for the global market, building on the first-mover advantage in the development and launch of novel cancer medicines in China, and engaging partners for late-stage development and commercialization outside China. This strategy is aligned with the Company's culture of innovation and high engagement and empowerment with a strong focus on reward and recognition. The Chairman's Statement and the Operations Review contain discussions and analyses of the Group's opportunities, performance and the basis on which the Group generates or preserves value over the longer term and the basis on which the Group will execute its strategy for delivering its objectives. The Group also focuses on sustainability and delivering business solutions to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

 

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

As at June 30, 2023, the Group employed approximately 1,990 (June 30, 2022: ~2,110) full time staff members. Staff costs during the six months ended June 30, 2023, including directors' emoluments, totaled $104.0 million (H1-22: $118.9 million).

 

The Group fully recognizes the importance of high-quality human resources in sustaining market leadership. Salary and benefits are kept at competitive levels, while individual performance is rewarded within the general framework of the salary, bonus and incentive system of the Group, which is reviewed annually. Employees are provided with a wide range of benefits that include medical coverage, provident funds and retirement plans, and long-service awards. The Group stresses the importance of staff development and provides training programs on an ongoing basis. Employees are also encouraged to play an active role in community care activities.

 

SUSTAINABILITY

 

The key sustainability mission of the Group is to create long-term value for all stakeholders by aligning its sustainability objectives to the strategic development of its businesses. The Board of Directors ("the Board") has the overall responsibility to ensure that sustainability issues are integrated into the strategy and long-term development of the Group. It provides oversight of the sustainability performance of the Group through closely monitoring key sustainability matters and performance indicators, along with trends, risks, and opportunities that may impact the business development of the Group. Supported by the Sustainability Committee, senior management, and the Sustainability Working Group, the Board oversees the management approach to sustainability matters and the formulation of sustainability strategies.

 

A standalone Sustainability Report of the Company for 2022 was published alongside the 2022 Annual Report in April 2023 and included further information on the Group's sustainability initiatives and their performances. It further discussed the abovementioned sustainability mission and strategies, management approach, progress, material quantitative data, as well as policies and key initiatives of the Group. Over the course of 2023, the Group continues to engage its stakeholders to identify areas for improvement in these sustainability fronts.

 

PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF LISTED SECURITIES

 

During the period from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has purchased, sold or redeemed any of the listed securities of the Company.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE

 

The Company strives to attain and maintain high standards of corporate governance best suited to the needs and interests of the Company and its subsidiaries as it believes that effective corporate governance framework is fundamental to promoting and safeguarding interests of shareholders and other stakeholders and enhancing shareholder value. Accordingly, the Company has adopted and applied corporate governance principles and practices that emphasize a quality Board, effective risk management and internal control systems, stringent disclosure practices, transparency and accountability as well as effective communication and engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders. It is, in addition, committed to continuously enhancing these standards and practices and inculcating a robust culture of compliance and ethical governance underlying the business operations and practices across the Group.

 

The Company has complied throughout the six months ended June 30, 2023 with all applicable code provisions of the Hong Kong Corporate Governance Code contained in Appendix 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on HKEX (the "Hong Kong Listing Rules").

 

COMPLIANCE WITH THE SHARE DEALINGS CODE FOR SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS BY DIRECTORS

 

The Board has adopted the Code on Dealings in Shares which is on terms no less exacting than the required standard set out in the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers set out in Appendix 10 of the Hong Kong Listing Rules as the protocol regulating Directors' dealings in securities of the Company. In response to specific enquiries made, all Directors have confirmed that they have complied with the required standards set out in such code regarding their securities transactions throughout their tenure during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

USE OF NET PROCEEDS

 

On June 30, 2021, the Company issued 104,000,000 new ordinary shares for total gross proceeds of approximately $534.7 million from the listing of the Company's ordinary shares on HKEX.

 

On July 15, 2021, the over-allotment option was fully exercised and the Company issued an aggregate of 15,600,000 ordinary shares for total gross proceeds of approximately $80.2 million.

 

The intended use of total net proceeds of approximately $585.2 million from the offering and the over-allotment option for the purposes and in the amounts (adjusted on pro rata basis based on the actual net proceeds) as disclosed in the prospectus of the Company dated June 18, 2021 is as below:

 

Use of Proceeds		Percentage of Total Net Proceeds		Approximate Amount		Actual Usage up to June 30, 2023		Unutilized Net Proceeds as of June 30, 2023		Expected Timeline for Utilization of Proceeds (note)
		(%)		($'millions)		($'millions)		($'millions)
Advance our late-stage clinical programs for savolitinib, surufatinib, fruquintinib, amdizalisib and sovleplenib through registration trials and potential NDA submissions		50%		292.7		292.7		-		Fully utilized
Support further proof-of-concept studies and fund the continued expansion of our product portfolio in cancer and immunological diseases through internal research, including the development cost of early-clinical and preclinical-stage pipeline drug candidates		10%		58.5		58.5		-		Fully utilized
Further strengthen our integrated capabilities across commercialization, clinical and regulatory and manufacturing		20%		117.1		102.8		14.3		2023
Fund potential global business development and strategic acquisition opportunities to complement our internal research and development activities and enhance our current drug candidate pipeline		15%		87.8		68.8		19.0		2023
Working capital, expanding internal capabilities globally and in China and general corporate purposes		5%		29.1		29.1		-		Fully utilized
		100%		585.2		551.9		33.3

 

Note: There was no change in the intended use of net proceeds as previously disclosed, and the Company plans to gradually utilize the remaining net proceeds in accordance with such intended purposes depending on actual market conditions and business needs, which is expected to be substantially utilized by the end of year 2023.

 

REVIEW OF INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2023 have been reviewed by the auditor of the Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Review Engagements 2410 - "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants for the Hong Kong filing. The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2023 have also been reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Company.

 

IMPORTANT EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

 

Save as disclosed above, no important events affecting the Company occurred since June 30, 2023 and up to the date of this announcement.

 

PUBLICATION OF INTERIM RESULTS AND INTERIM REPORT

 

This interim results announcement is published on the websites of HKEX (www.hkexnews.hk), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov/edgar), the London Stock Exchange (www.londonstockex-change.com) and the Company (www.hutch‑med.com). The interim report of the Group for the six months ended June 30, 2023 will be published on the websites of HKEX and the Company, and dispatched to the Company's shareholders in due course.