Ecopia to Include Pancreatic Cancer Patients in Its Ongoing Phase I Clinical Trial
Posted on: Tuesday, 19 September 2006, 12:01 CDT
Ecopia BioSciences Inc. (TSX: EIA) announced today that it has received a No Objection Letter from the Therapeutics Products Directorate of Health Canada for the amendment to the ongoing Phase I clinical trial related to the Company's anticancer agent, ECO-4601, allowing for the inclusion of pancreatic cancer patients. This selective inclusion of pancreatic cancer patients is consistent with Ecopia's clinical plans to focus on fast track opportunities, including glioma.
Recent supportive evidence shows that ECO-4601 is a potent inhibitor of the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS-MAPK) pathway, which is an important validated target for anticancer therapies. The RAS genes (H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras) are the most frequently mutated oncogenes, occurring in approximately 30 % of all human cancers. The K-Ras is the most common mutated gene, with the highest incidence detected in pancreatic cancer (90%).
"With our most recent data showing that ECO-4601 is a potent inhibitor of the RAS-MAPK pathway, the next logical step for us was to include pancreatic cancer patients in our ongoing Phase I clinical trial, since 90% of this type of cancer is RAS-dependent " commented Dr. Pierre Falardeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecopia. "Focusing selectively on certain cancer types according to the specificity of the target is a way to increase our chances to highlight the efficacy of our lead compound" he added.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in North America. The combined estimated number of new cases of pancreatic cancer for Canada and the US in 2006 is approximately 37,000, with 36,000 annual deaths. Among cancer patients of all types, pancreatic cancer patients have the lowest one-year survival rate, which is estimated at 19.6%.
About ECO-4601 and Ecopia
Ecopia is finding novel anticancer therapies using its proprietary platform DECIPHER(R) technology. The Company's current focus is to move its lead compound, ECO-4601, through the early clinical phases. ECO-4601 is a novel small molecule that crosses the blood brain barrier and is effective in significantly inhibiting tumor growth in several xenograft models. It acts through a dual action by blocking the RAS pathway as well as by binding to the Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (PBR), a receptor highly expressed in many cancer cells. ECO-4601 represents a new chemical class owned by Ecopia that is now in a Phase l clinical trial. The novel scaffold of this molecule is the basis for multiple lead compounds at the preclinical stage.
The common shares of Ecopia are listed on the TSX (symbol: EIA).
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statement regarding inclusion of pancreatic cancer patients in the ongoing Phase I clinical trial is based on receipt of the No Objection Letter from Health Canada. The forward-looking statement regarding ECO-4601's mechanism of action as a potent inhibitor of the Ras-MAPK pathway is based on scientific data presented at the 12th Salk Institute Meeting on Protein Phosphorylation and Cell Signaling (August 18-22, 2006). Forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected here and depend on a number of factors, including the timing and progress of recruitment of pancreatic cancer patients in the Phase I clinical trial, results of on-going investigations into the mechanism of action for ECO-4601, scientific uncertainties relating to correlation between preclinical animal data and human clinical data, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing to fund future operations and the impact of general economic conditions. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in Ecopia's press release dated July 11, 2006, regarding operating highlights and financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 and the 2005 annual information form, both of which are available on www.sedar.com.
Contacts: Ecopia BioSciences Inc. Anne-Marie Guertin Vice-President, Finance (514) 336-2700 info@ecopiabio.comwww.ecopiabio.com
SOURCE: Ecopia BioSciences Inc.
Source: MARKET WIRE
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