LONDON, Sept. 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Cancer drug developer Antisoma (LSE:ASM) announces that it has reached the patient recruitment target in its phase II trial of AS1404 in non-small cell lung cancer. This keeps the Company on course to report the first efficacy data from the trial during this year.
Antisoma is conducting a programme of three separate phase II trials in lung, prostate and ovarian cancers, all of which evaluate the benefit of adding AS1404 to standard chemotherapy treatments.
Antisoma's CEO Glyn Edwards said: "Our clinical group and investigators around the world have done an exceptional job in rapidly recruiting patients into this important trial. The lung cancer study will provide us with the first opportunity to achieve proof of concept for AS1404, a drug with very large market potential. With our ovarian and prostate cancer trials also progressing well we will soon have a steady stream of efficacy data emerging on AS1404."
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in this statement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product discovery and development, including statements regarding the company's clinical development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially.
AS1404 lung cancer study
The lung cancer trial has recruited around seventy patients across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It is a randomized controlled study in which half the patients are receiving standard chemotherapy treatment of carboplatin and paclitaxel while the other half are receiving these chemotherapy drugs plus AS1404. Response rates, time to tumour progression and survival will be compared to see whether patients on the AS1404-chemotherapy combination do better than those on chemotherapy alone.
Background on AS1404
AS1404 (DMXAA) is a small-molecule vascular disrupting agent which targets the blood vessels that nourish tumours. The drug was discovered by Professors Bruce Baguley and William Denny and their teams at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand. It was in-licensed by Antisoma from Cancer Research Ventures Limited (now Cancer Research Technologies) in August 2001. Preclinical evidence shows that the drug significantly enhances the efficacy of various chemotherapy drugs, complementing their action on tumours. Antisoma's programme of phase II trials therefore combines AS1404 with established chemotherapy treatments. The programme includes separate randomised, controlled trials in lung, prostate and ovarian cancers.
Background on Antisoma
Based in London, U.K., Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. Antisoma fills its development pipeline by acquiring promising new product candidates from internationally recognised academic or cancer research institutions. Its core activity is the preclinical and clinical development of these drug candidates. In 2002, Antisoma formed a broad strategic alliance with Roche to develop and commercialise products from Antisoma's pipeline. AS1404 is included within the Roche alliance. Please visit www.Antisoma.com for further information about Antisoma.