Nerviano Medical Sciences Receives Approval From the FDA to Enter Phase I Clinical Trials for Their Polo
Like Kinase (PLK) Inhibitor
NERVIANO, May 13 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
The FDA has approved an Investigational New Drug (IND)
application by Nerviano Medical Sciences to begin a phase I clinical study
with its selective PLK-1 small molecule inhibitor for the treatment of
cancer. PLK-1 is a mitotic kinase required for the proliferation of cancer
cells. This new compound is orally bioavailable, highly efficient and well
tolerated in preclinical models of cancer after repeated dosing. This unique
inhibitor adds another promising candidate to the pipeline of innovative cell
cycle targets with different mechanisms of action in clinical development
which have been discovered and developed by NMS. These include inhibitors of
CDK, Aurora and CDC-7. An IND for an inhibitor of CDC-7 was approved by the
FDA in January this year and the first patients were treated with the
compound in April. NMS CDK and Aurora inhibitors are in phase I and II
clinical development, respectively, and are starting to show promising
activity in specific patient populations.
The clinical development path foresees application of the NMS PLK-1
inhibitor in solid and hematological indications. "I am pleased to see the
second IND approval this year and I highly appreciate the consistant delivery
of high quality clinical candidates by the Nerviano site" comments Dr.
Francesco Colotta, VP R&D at NMS.
Nerviano Medical Sciences (NMS)
Nerviano Medical Sciences is the largest pharmaceutical R&D
facility in Italy and one of the largest oncology-focused, integrated
discovery and development companies in Europe. Research activities in
Nerviano generate on average two clinical candidate molecules per year. NMS
takes advantage of strategic alliances with biotechnology as well as
pharmaceutical companies to secure its long term business sustainability. The
Company has already finalized partnerships with major companies such as
Pfizer Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Genentech Inc. as well as with several
biotech companies and academic institutions.
For information:
Nerviano Medical Sciences
Maria D'Acquino,
tel +39-0331-581013,
mob. +39-335-1863051,
maria.dacquino@nervianoms.com
SOURCE: Nerviano Medical Sciences
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