On September 6, 2017 Moleculin Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a preclinical pharmaceutical company focused on the development of anti-cancer drug candidates, some of which are based on license agreements with The University of Texas System on behalf of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, reported it has entered into a collaborative agreement with the University of Bergen to test WP1122 in combination with the drug Avastin(R) (bevacizumab) made by Roche Pharma (Press release, Moleculin, SEP 6, 2017, View Source [SID1234520391]). Roche Pharma is not a party to the collaborative agreement.
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"The potential for synergy with Roche’s drug is compelling," commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO of Moleculin. "Avastin showed early promise in the treatment of brain tumors, but its usefulness has been hampered by the ability of brain tumors to develop resistance to anti-vascular therapy. Avastin prevents formation of new blood vessels including blood vessels that feed growing tumors and, as such, creates an environment where tumors become more dependent on glycolysis (a means of producing energy induced by a limited oxygen supply from the blood) enabling a potential form of therapy resistance. We’ve shown in animal models that WP1122 as an inhibitor of glycolysis limits tumor growth and increases survival in animals transplanted with human brain tumors, so it is logical to consider that WP1122 could potentially be an effective way to deal with Avastin resistance, as a follow up treatment, or in combination with Avastin."
"We have developed novel human brain tumor models in mice that display Avastin-resistance," added Dr. Rolf Bjerkvig, Professor at the Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen in Norway, "that should allow us to validate the efficacy of WP1122 inhibition of Avastin-induced glycolysis. This may represent a breakthrough in treating brain tumors by using WP1122 in combination with Avastin. We are eager to explore this potential through our collaboration with Moleculin."