BEIJING, Nov. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeiGene, Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, today announced it has received the 2015 R&D Achievement of the Year from BayHelix at a ceremony during the BioCentury China Healthcare Summit in Shanghai, China. The recognition was for dosing the first China-originated anti-PD-1 mAb in humans, securing U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance of its Investigational New Drug Application, clearance of its BTK inhibitor (BGB-3111), dosing the first patient in China with its novel RAF dimer inhibitor (BGB-283), and securing over $170 million in financing from top tier Chinese and U.S. institutional investors.
"We are truly honored to be the recipient of this award from BayHelix. This award recognizes the talented scientists at BeiGene and their scientific excellence and ability to deliver innovative therapeutics. We are excited especially given the increasing quality of science and potential innovative therapeutics being developed by our peers in China," said John V. Oyler, Chief Executive Officer of BeiGene.
BayHelix is an organization of leaders of Chinese heritage in the global life sciences and healthcare community, and the China Pharmaceutical Awards celebrates outstanding individuals and companies for their achievement and contribution to the Chinese local healthcare ecosystem. Each year BayHelix presents four awards to celebrate innovation in China for R&D Achievement of Year, Alliance of the Year, Commercial Achievement of the Year, and R&D Leadership. The R&D Achievement of the Year recognizes one company for a scientific discovery in China with direct impact to drug research and development or a significant achievement in pharmaceutical development milestones. This is the second award that BeiGene has received from BayHelix. In 2013, BeiGene was presented with the Alliance of the Year award for its partnership with Merck KGaA for a global licensing, co-development, and commercialization agreement for BGB-283, a novel RAF dimer inhibitor that targets both B-RAF and K-RAS/N-RAS mutated cancers.
About BeiGene
BeiGene is a global, clinical-stage, research-based company focused on targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics. With a team of 190 employees and consultants, including 110 scientists, BeiGene is advancing a pipeline consisting of novel oral small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for cancer. BeiGene is working to create combination solutions that will have both a meaningful and lasting impact on cancer patients. For more information, please visit our website at www.beigene.com.