Mersana Reports Preliminary Phase 1 Results Of Xmt-1001 In Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

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2nd June 2009, 03:13am - Views: 762





Community Health Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. 1 image

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Mersana Reports Preliminary Phase 1 Results of XMT-1001 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 2 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


MEDIA RELEASE PR34867


  - Results Presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Meeting 

       Show Fleximer(R) Conjugated Drug Is Well Tolerated with Favorable

     Pharmacokinetics and Prolonged Stable Disease in Refractory Tumors -


    Mersana Therapeutics presented preliminary results of a Phase 1 clinical trial for its lead development

candidate, XMT-1001, in a poster session at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical

Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando. XMT-1001 is a broad-spectrum cytotoxic, based on camptothecin (CPT),

conjugated to Mersana's biodegradable polymer platform, Fleximer(R).


    Ten of 37 evaluable patients dosed to date demonstrated evidence of

stable disease and seven patients had prolonged stable disease for at least

12 weeks. The study has also demonstrated that XMT-1001 can be safely given

to patients. Toxicities such as hemorrhagic cystitis and serious diarrhea

were not observed in this preliminary assessment. In addition, a favorable

pharmacokinetic profile was observed. Full text of the abstract can be viewed



    "We are encouraged by the favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profile

demonstrated by XMT-1001 thus far," said Julie Olson, Chief Executive Officer

of Mersana. "These preliminary results build on our preclinical studies,

which showed that XMT-1001 has greater efficacy in human tumor xenograft

models than comparable doses of irinotecan, an agent with a similar mechanism

of action as camptothecin and that is approved to treat patients with colon

cancer. We look forward to advancing XMT-1001 into a Phase 2 trial in a solid

tumor indication."


    About the XMT-1001 Preliminary Study

    The Phase 1 trial is an open label, dose escalation study of XMT-1001

administered as an IV infusion once every three weeks in patients with

advanced solid tumors. The objectives of the study are to determine the

maximum tolerated dose (MTD) as well as to assess safety and

pharmacokinetics. The maximum tolerated dose is not yet defined and accrual

to the study continues.


    ASCO Poster Information

    "A Phase I study of the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of XMT-1001

given as an intravenous (IV) infusion once every three weeks to patients with

advanced solid tumors."


    By E. Sausville, L. Garbo, G. J. Weiss, S. Anthony, D. Shkolny, A. V.

Yurkovetskiy, C. Bethune, R. J. Fram; University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD;

New York Oncology Hematology, Albany, NY; TGen Clinical Research Services,

Scottsdale, AZ; Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA; Covance

Bioanalytical, Madison, WI


    Session: Developmental Therapeutics: Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

    Type: General Poster Session

    Time: Saturday May 30, 2009, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

    Location: Level 2, West Hall C


    About Fleximer(R)

Community Health Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. 3 image

    The key component of Mersana's platform is Fleximer(R), a novel,

biodegradable and bio-inert polymer that can be chemically linked to small

molecules and biologics. Fleximer(R) technology improves the therapeutic

index of existing compounds by uniquely combining biodegradability with

"biological stealth" properties, making Fleximer(R) materials and their

conjugates long-circulating and non-immunotoxic. Fleximer(R) molecules are

characterized by solubility in water, with stability in common manufacturing

procedures.


    About Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

    Mersana Therapeutics employs its biodegradable polymer platform

(Fleximer(R)) to create new and better medicines. We are advancing our own

clinical-stage pipeline of novel compounds with the potential to address

multiple oncology indications. We also leverage the versatility of Fleximer

through partnerships to overcome the safety, efficacy, and delivery

challenges of nucleic acids, biologics, and small molecules in numerous

therapeutic areas.


    Mersana is headquartered in Cambridge, MA and its investors include

Fidelity Biosciences, ProQuest Investments, Rho Ventures, Harris & Harris

Group and PureTech Ventures. For more information, visit www.mersana.com.


    Fleximer(R) and Mersana(R) are registered trademarks of Mersana

Therapeutics, Inc.



SOURCE: Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.


    CONTACT: Kathryn Morris of KMorrisPR, +1-845-635-9828, kathryn@kmorrispr.com


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