BASEL, Switzerland, April 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reported today that new data demonstrating the broad activity of Basilea's novel oncology drug candidate BAL101553 in pre-clinical models of human breast cancer, including models resistant to standard agents used for the treatment of breast cancer, were presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, USA.
BAL101553 is an investigational new intravenous and oral small-molecule drug that arrests tumor cell proliferation and induces tumor cell death through a destabilizing effect on microtubules, an intracellular network essential for cell division. In addition, it demonstrates tumor-specific vascular disruption activity, thus depriving tumors of nutrition. Its distinct effect on microtubules, as well as its potent activity across numerous drug-refractory tumor models, differentiates BAL101553 from microtubule-targeting agents marketed today.
Prof. Achim Kaufhold, Basilea's Chief Medical Officer, commented: "Resistance to currently available anti-cancer drugs remains a major challenge in the treatment of cancer patients. BAL101553 demonstrated potent antitumor activity in diverse drug-refractory breast cancer models alone and in combination. Specifically, the significant enhancement of antitumor activity of BAL101553 in combination with trastuzumab, a widely-used therapeutic antibody for the treatment of breast cancer, is striking. These data highlight the potential of BAL101553 for the treatment of breast cancer alone and in combination." He added: "Following the recent successful completion of Phase 1 clinical testing determining the maximum tolerated dose, Basilea plans to start a Phase 2 program exploring BAL101553 as monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors in the first half of 2014."
The presented data was generated in cooperation between Basilea and the group of Prof. Sikic at Stanford University. BAL27862, the active moiety of the prodrug BAL101553, demonstrated anti-proliferative activity in several breast cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant lines that no longer respond to, or are inherently resistant to, paclitaxel and vincristine, two standard microtubule-targeting breast cancer therapies. Intravenous administration of BAL101553 in an animal model of chemotherapy-refractory human breast cancer led to a significantly reduced rate of tumor growth when compared to paclitaxel and vincristine. Antitumor activity was also observed in breast cancer models refractory to treatment with the therapeutic antibody trastuzumab. The combination of BAL101553 with trastuzumab strikingly exhibited enhanced antitumor activity versus the single agents in a patient-derived trastuzumab-refractory model. This was associated with a significant delay in tumor growth over an extended time period.
| Poster at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014 BAL101553 (prodrug of BAL27862): A unique microtubule destabilizer active against drug refractory breast cancers alone and in combination with trastuzumab - F. Bachmann, K. Burger, G. E. Duran, B. I. Sikic, H. A. Lane; poster/abstract #831 |
For further information please visit www.aacr.org
About BAL101553
BAL101553 is a novel small-molecule anti-cancer drug candidate. The agent directly attacks tumor cells by destabilizing microtubules that form an intracellular network essential for cell division. In addition, it disrupts tumor blood vessels depriving the tumor of nutrition.
The investigational drug has shown broad in-vitro anti-proliferative activity in a panel of tumor models, including many that are, as a result of diverse resistance mechanisms, not responsive to standard microtubule-targeting agents, such as taxanes or vinca -alkaloids. Recently, a dose-escalation Phase 1 was successfully completed and the maximum tolerated dose has been established. In the study, first evidence of clinical antitumor activity in solid tumor patients was observed and reduced tumor cell proliferation and tumor vascularization were shown in patient tumor biopsies post-treatment.
BAL101553 is a highly soluble prodrug of Basilea's BAL27862. The injectable dosage form is formulated without potentially harmful solubilizers. In addition, the prodrug is orally bioavailable.
About Basilea
Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Through the fully integrated research and development operations of its Swiss subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., the company focuses on innovative pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and oncology, targeting the medical challenge of rising resistance and non-response to current treatment options.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For further information, please contact:
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| Peer Nils Schröder, PhD Head Public Relations & Corporate Communications +41 61 606 1102 media_relations@basilea.com | Barbara Zink, PhD, MBA Head Corporate Development +41 61 606 1233 investor_relations@basilea.com |
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