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(Press release, TNI BioTech, DEC 3, 2013, View Source [SID:1234507311])

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(Press release, ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, DEC 3, 2013, View Source [SID:1234506425])

(Press release, JHL Biotech, DEC 3, 2013, View Source [SID:1234503387])

Kancera announces the discovery of a new class of compounds against cancer

On December 3, 2014 Kancera reported the discovery of a new class of compounds that inhibits the epigenetic enzyme histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and thereby controls the activity of the cancer cell genes (Press release Kancera, DEC 3, 2013, View Source;releaseID=835081 [SID:1234500120]). Severe side effects, due to poor selectivity, have limited the clinical use of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of cancer, despite their promising treatment efficacy. For this reason, the pharmaceutical industry is now looking for HDAC inhibitors displaying a higher level of selectivity within this family of enzymes. Kancera´s discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors may provide a solution to how physicians could take advantage of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of cancer without causing the patient severe side effects.

There are currently two HDAC inhibitors on the market for the treatment of various forms of T-cell lymphoma. These inhibitors are active against several members of the HDAC family of enzymes leading to side effects including severe nausea and potentially an increased cardiovascular risk. Selective inhibition of HDAC6 is expected to reduce these side effects, while activity against cancer cells is maintained.

Kancera´s unexpected discovery of such selective HDAC6 inhibitors is the result of an incidental finding made following an EU-funded project against epigenetic targets for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Laboratory tests have shown that Kancera’s inhibitors display a higher level of selectivity against the HDAC6 enzyme as compared to a competing inhibitor, ACY-1215. Kancera´s HDAC6 inhibitors have furthermore been shown to be able to kill cancer cells in vitro.

ACY-1215, developed by the Boston-based company Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, is currently in early clinical trials ( Phase 1b) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In July 2013 it was announced that Celgene for a $100 million upfront cash payment received an option to acquire Acetylon Pharmaceuticals with ACY -1215 as their main asset.

Kancera now intends to file patent applications for these inhibitors and to further evaluate the potential of them in the treatment of cancer, including multiple myeloma.

Sareum Enters Co-Development Agreement in China for Aurora+FLT3 Programme

On December 2, 2013 Sareum Holdings reported that it has signed a co-development agreement with Hebei Medical University Biomedical Engineering Center ("HMUBEC") to advance its Aurora+FLT3 cancer programme (Press release Sareum, DEC 2, 2013, View Source;year=2013 [SID:1234501235]).

Under the terms of the agreement HMUBEC has been granted exclusive rights to carry out pre-clinical and clinical studies within Greater China* to obtain approval for sales in that territory. Sareum will receive a significant milestone payment once a product receives authorisation for marketing, and up to 15% of operating profit from sales generated in Greater China.

HMUBEC will be required to disclose and exclusively licence to Sareum all pre-clinical and clinical data it generates in the course of the development collaboration in order to facilitate Sareum’s own development and commercialisation activities. This would include conducting any further studies required for authorisation for clinical trials in the rest of the world as well as out-licensing and supporting applications for marketing authorisations outside Greater China. HMUBEC will be entitled to receive up to 10% of operating profit Sareum receives from any licence agreement or sales made outside Greater China, dependent on the stage at which Sareum out-licences data generated by HMUBEC to a third party.

HMUBEC is an independent research centre operating within Hebei Medical University Science & Technology General Company (HMUSTGC). Its capabilities include GLP† compliant laboratories, CGMP compliant manufacturing capabilities and well-established sales distribution channels in Greater China. HMUSTGC has successfully developed more than 85 therapeutic products and medical devices for the Chinese market since its formation in 1992.

Aurora+FLT3 kinase inhibitors have the potential to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML, the most common form of adult leukaemia) and various other forms of cancer. Aurora kinase is involved in the control of mitosis (cell division), and FLT3 kinase over-activation is the most common mutation in AML. The pre-clinical development candidate that has been licenced by Sareum to HMUBEC has showed particular promise against a range of haematological cancer models including AML and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) with an encouraging early safety profile and positive ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) properties.