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SOURCE: Allos Therapeutics, Inc.
Allos Therapeutics Licenses Phase 2 Cancer Compound
WESTMINSTER, Colo., Jan. 7 - Allos Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has signed a multi- institutional licensing agreement for a Phase 2 cancer compound, thus further expanding its oncology development pipeline.
Allos Therapeutics has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to a novel, proprietary antifolate (DHFR inhibitor), known as PDX, from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Southern Research Institute and SRI International. PDX is an injectable small molecule cytotoxic agent that has a superior potency and toxicity profile relative to methotrexate and other related DHFR inhibitors and has shown significant single-agent activity in a 39-patient Phase 2 trial in previously treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Additional clinical trials in patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, mesothelioma and in combination with docetaxel are in progress at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The research at MSKCC was carried out at the Experimental Therapeutic Center.
"As our corporate objective is to develop and market novel cancer agents, we are fortunate to add this novel, late-stage cytotoxic compound to our growing oncology portfolio," explained Michael E. Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allos Therapeutics. "PDX allows us to leverage our in- house clinical, regulatory and manufacturing capabilities and nicely complements our current RSR13 development program in lung cancer."
Under the terms of the agreement, Allos Therapeutics made an up-front payment and will pay future fees based on certain development milestones and pay future potential royalties on sales. Allos Therapeutics will fund all development programs and will have sole responsibility for all commercialization activities.
"PDX has shown promising activity when used to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer who didn't benefit from prior therapy," said Mark G. Kris, M.D., Chief of the Thoracic Oncology Service Division at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "Our Phase 2 results appear to show benefits comparable to other FDA-approved agents, including docetaxel, in similar types of tests. Because PDX fights cancer in a different way, it has the potential to provide additional benefits to patients beyond what is currently available to them."
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