On March 5, 2014 Verastem presented preliminary data from an ongoing First-in-Asia Phase 1 trial of VS-6063 in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors, including one patient with mesothelioma. The Phase 1 study assessed the safety and pharmacokinetics of single agent VS-6063 (Press release Verastem, MAR 5, 2014, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=1906472 [SID:1234500516]).
Verastem’s ongoing COMMAND trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled registration-directed study which is evaluating VS-6063 in patients with mesothelioma and is currently accruing patients in 8 countries.
The Japanese Phase 1 is an open-label, dose-escalation study that enrolled nine subjects who received single-agent VS-6063 (200, 400 or 600mg; n=3 in each dose cohort) BID. The study results demonstrated that VS-6063 was well tolerated at all dose levels. There were no serious adverse events or evidence of dose-limiting toxicity. Pharmacokinetic results from the recommended Phase 2 dose of 400mg BID were consistent with previously reported data in non-Japanese subjects. These safety and pharmacokinetic results support advancing the VS-6063 development program in Japanese patients.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

On March 5, 2014 Alchemia Limited (ASX: ACL), a drug discovery and development company, reported the in-licensing of two early-stage novel anticancer drug candidates from Cancer Research Technology (CRT) (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, MAR 5, 2014, View Source [SID1234523230]). The preclinical Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) inhibitors originate from the Australian Cancer Therapeutics CRC (CTx) and will be evaluated by Alchemia in various cancer and cancer stem cell models prior to initiation of formal preclinical and clinical development. The two licenses include fees, milestones and royalty payments. Further terms are not disclosed.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are looking forward to evaluating these novel molecules and their effect on the tumour environment and cancer stem cells that are essential for the growth, persistence and reoccurrence of cancer," said Tracey Brown, Alchemia’s Chief Scientific Officer. "We plan to use our established oncology and cancer stem cell models to evaluate the potential clinical benefits of the drugs in vivo prior to initiating further IND enabling studies."

FAK is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase which plays an important role in the development and spread of numerous malignancies and has therefore emerged as a promising target in cancer therapy. Inhibition of FAK has the potential to provide numerous therapeutic benefits to cancer patients by disrupting tumour development and metastasis, while overcoming chemo-resistance to a broad variety of currently used cytotoxic drugs. Through these combined therapeutic effects, FAK inhibitors have the potential to treat a range of cancers and may provide a longer lasting clinical response and improved patient outcomes.

"Alchemia is excited about the in-licensing of these two novel compounds as it will enable our Melbourne-based oncology research team to further evaluate and advance these assets," said Thomas Liquard CEO of Alchemia. "CRT has a stellar reputation for scientific innovation and we are proud that CRT/CTx selected Alchemia to progress these FAK inhibitors."

"CTx was funded under the Australian CRC Program to bridge the gap between excellent Australian research and the discovery of new drugs based on that research," said Warwick Tong, Chief Executive Officer of CTx. "We are excited to see the first drug candidates from our novel pipeline move towards the next stage of their development in the hands of one of Australia’s leading innovative biotech companies."

(Filing, 10-Q, Merrimack, MAR 4, 2014, View Source [SID:1234505642])

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Qiagen has filed a 20-F – Annual and transition report of foreign private issuers [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Press release QIAGEN, MAR 3, 2014, View Source [SID1234500243]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!