Allos
Therapeutics Licenses New Cancer Compound
WESTMINSTER, Colo.,
Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Allos Therapeutics,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTH) today announced that it has acquired
an exclusive worldwide license from the University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center, the University
of Salford and Cancer Research Technology to develop
and commercialize a new chemotherapeutic agent known
as RH1. The compound is currently being investigated
in a Phase 1 clinical trial sponsored by Cancer Research
UK, the largest volunteer-supported cancer research
organization in the world.
RH1
is a targeted cytotoxic prodrug that is bioactivated
by the enzyme DT-diaphorase (DTD), which is over-expressed
in many tumors relative to normal tissue, including
lung, colon, breast and liver tumors. The drug exhibits
a similar mechanism of action to the potent chemotherapeutic
agent Mitomycin C, with greater potential activity
against cells expressing high DTD and a potentially
more favorable safety profile. RH1 was a nominated
compound for advancement in the National Cancer Institute's
Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP), which provides
cancer drug discovery and development resources to
the intramural, academic and industrial research communities.
"Pre-clinical
work has shown RH1 to be a more efficient substrate
for DTD than currently available agents," said Dr.
David Ross, Professor of Toxicology and Chairman,
Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University
of Colorado. "This drug may offer a means to selectively
target tumors expressing high levels of DTD."
RH1
is currently being evaluated in patients with advanced
solid tumors refractory to other chemotherapy regimens
in an open label, Phase 1 dose escalation study chaired
by Dr. Malcolm Ranson, Director Derek Crowther Unit,
Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK. Up to 40 patients
will be enrolled to test the safety, tolerability
and pharmacokinetics (PK) of escalating doses of RH1.
Patient DTD enzyme levels are being measured to correlate
with drug efficacy. Recruitment began in September
2003 and is expected to complete in the second half
of 2005.
"We've
enrolled nearly a third of the desired number of patients
for the study and are encouraged by results seen to
date from both a safety and efficacy standpoint,"
said Dr. Ranson.
Under
the terms of the agreement, Allos will make an up-front
payment and a series of milestone payments based upon
the achievement of specified development, regulatory
and commercialization goals. Allos will also make
royalty payments based on product sales, if any, resulting
from the collaboration. Cancer Research UK will continue
to support the ongoing Phase 1 dose escalation study,
and Allos will have the right to obtain an exclusive
license to the results of the study, for use in subsequent
development and regulatory activities, upon payment
of a one-time data option fee. Upon completion of
the Phase 1 study, Allos will assume responsibility
for all further development costs and activities.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
However, Allos does not expect the in- licensing of
RH1 to result in a material increase in its quarterly
operating expenses for at least the next 18-24 months.
"We're
excited to add this novel compound to our growing
oncology portfolio," said Michael E. Hart, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Allos. "RH1 complements
our current development programs and will allow us
to capitalize on our in-house clinical, regulatory
and manufacturing expertise."
About
Allos Therapeutics, Inc.
Allos
Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company
focused on developing and commercializing innovative
drugs for improving cancer treatments. The company's
lead clinical candidate, EFAPROXYN(TM) (efaproxiral),
is a synthetic small molecule that has the potential
to sensitize hypoxic (oxygen deprived) tumor tissues
and enhance the efficacy of standard radiation therapy.
In addition, Allos is developing PDX (pralatrexate),
a novel small molecule cytoxic injectable antifolate
(DHFR inhibitor) intended to treat non-small cell
lung cancer, mesothelioma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
For more information, please visit the company's web
site at: www.allos.com.
SOURCE:
Allos Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT:
Jennifer Neiman, Manager, Corporate Communications
of Allos Therapeutics, Inc., +1-720-540-5227, jneiman@allos.com
Web
site: http://www.allos.com |
