Cellceutix Provides Update on Developing p53 Drug

BEVERLY, Mass., March 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellceutix Corporation, (OTCQB:CTIX) (“the Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies with dermatology, oncology, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic applications, is pleased to update shareholders on continuing efforts to develop the oral dosing of Kevetrin.

Based on positive results from Cellceutix’s Phase 1 trial of Kevetrin in solid tumors conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Company is moving forward with a Phase 2 trial of intravenously-administered Kevetrin in patients with late-stage, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Cellceutix has decided to pursue an oral formulation for Kevetrin to improve patient convenience and potentially increase therapeutic efficacy given the drug’s short half-life and other pharmacokinetics, as discussed below.

As background, pre-clinical work determined the bioavailability of Kevetrin was 79 percent when given orally in Sprague-Dawley rats. To further establish the efficacy of oral Kevetrin, in vivo mouse studies were carried out in an ascites ovarian tumor model using OVCAR-3 and OV-90 tumor models, both of which possess different mutant p53 genes. Importantly, these pre-clinical results showed that the overall efficacy of Kevetrin was similar across both oral and intraperitoneal routes of drug administration.

Cellceutix has initiated a series of GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) studies to assess the safety of Kevetrin given orally. Considering that Kevetrin is a non-cytotoxic drug, our intent, with FDA permission, is to next proceed with a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers using the oral route. These studies are being conducted by approved vendors and include: photosafety testing, pharmacokinetics, in vivo metabolism, metabolic stability, protein binding, and genetic and physiological toxicology reports.

Preliminary data analyses in a pharmacokinetic study in rats revealed a half-life of approximately 1 hour and a clearance of 78ml/min/kg for both oral and intravenous (IV) dosing. Results of an initial photosafety study demonstrated a molar extinction coefficient value of less than 5 L/mol*cm over a range of wavelengths above 290 nm, well below the 1000 L/mol*cm limit stated in ICH guidelines—indicating Kevetrin has no phototoxicity. A preliminary toxicity study showed that at doses up to 500 mg/kg given orally daily for 7 days, Kevetrin was well-tolerated by the rats as indicated by an 11 percent increase in body weight and no abnormal clinical observations. Further, this dose was greater than the doses used in the preclinical efficacy study. Remaining safety studies will be completed in the second half of this year.

In related news: Last week, Cellceutix research partners in Italy shared results with the Company from their ongoing preclinical work evaluating Kevetrin in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Pancreatic Cancer and human Gliobastoma Multiforme (hGBM). The data will be presented (by them) at scientific conferences, and is consistent with, and further informs, our knowledge of Kevetrin. Also, efficacy data from the 2 ^nd cohort in the Brilacidin-Ulcerative Colitis proof-of-concept study is in the last stage of being compiled by the CRO and, following a final review, will be released.

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About Kevetrin

Kevetrin is a small molecule that has demonstrated the potential of becoming a breakthrough cancer treatment by inducing activation of p53, a protein frequently referred to as the “Guardian of the Genome” due to its critical role in controlling cell mutations. In the majority of cancers, and regardless of origin, type, and location, the p53 pathway is mutated, preventing the body from performing its natural anti-tumor functions. Conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating Kevetrin in treating advanced solid tumors has been successfully completed, with patients showing good toleration and encouraging signs of potential therapeutic response. Cellceutix has initiated a Phase 2a trial of Kevetrin in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. Patients will receive more frequent dosing (3 times per week) at higher levels and then receive standard of care treatment. Efforts also are underway to develop Kevetrin as an oral anti-cancer agent that can be administered daily, potentially even multiple times per day. The FDA has awarded Kevetrin Orphan Drug status for ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and retinoblastoma, qualifying it for developmental incentives and a potential extra 7 years of market exclusivity upon drug approval. The FDA also has granted Kevetrin Rare Pediatric Disease designation for childhood retinoblastoma.

Learn more here: http://www.cellceutix.com/kevetrin-1/

About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a common type of cancer that commonly begins in women’s ovaries. Malignant ovarian tumor cells metastasize either directly through the organs of the pelvis region, or through the bloodstream, or the lymphatic system. The causes of ovarian cancer are still not known, though women over the age of 63 represent more than 50 percent of newly diagnosed cases, with the cancer more frequently found in white women than other ethnicities. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women worldwide. It is estimated that in 2016, in the United States, over 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with approximately 14,000 women dying from the disease. A $1.6 billion market, current treatment is often limited to surgery and chemotherapy and there is no cure.

More information can be found at: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html

About Cellceutix Phase 2a Ovarian Cancer Trial Design

CTIX-KEV-201 is an open-label, Phase 2a study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of Kevetrin as well as changes in select biomarkers and objective tumor response when administered to patients with platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. The clinical trial comprises two different short-term treatment regimens and will enroll an estimated 10 patients. Primary outcome measures include the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) and changes in pre-specified biomarkers (via tumor biopsy, examination of ascites fluid and peripheral blood), pre-treatment and post-treatment, at 3 weeks. Secondary outcome measures include objective tumor response, per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) (version 1.1) and plasma concentrations of Kevetrin.

For more information on the CTIX-KEV-201 Phase 2a study, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03042702

About Cellceutix

Headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, Cellceutix is a publicly-traded company under the symbol "CTIX". Cellceutix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies in multiple diseases. Cellceutix believes it has a world-class portfolio of first-in-class lead drug candidates and is now advancing them toward market approval, while actively seeking strategic partnerships. Cellceutix's psoriasis drug candidate Prurisol completed a Phase 2 trial and Cellceutix recently launched a Phase 2b study. Prurisol is a small molecule that acts through immune modulation and PRINS reduction. Cellceutix's anti-cancer drug Kevetrin successfully concluded a Phase 1 clinical trial at Harvard Cancer Centers' Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Cellceutix has commenced a Phase 2 study. In the laboratory, Kevetrin has shown to induce activation of p53, often referred to as the "Guardian Angel Gene" due to its crucial role in controlling cell mutations. Cellceutix is in a Phase 2 clinical trial with its novel compound Brilacidin-OM for the prevention of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Brilacidin-OM, a defensin mimetic compound, has shown in an animal model to reduce the occurrence of severe ulcerative oral mucositis by more than 94% compared to placebo. Cellceutix's lead antibiotic, Brilacidin, has completed a Phase 2b trial for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection, or ABSSSI. Top-line data have shown a single dose of Brilacidin to deliver comparable clinical outcomes to the FDA-approved seven-day dosing regimen of daptomycin. Brilacidin has the potential to be a single-dose therapy for certain multi-drug resistant bacteria ("superbugs"). In an ongoing Phase 2 open label Proof-of-Concept trial, favorable interim results have been observed in the first cohort of patients treated with Brilacidin for Ulcerative Proctitis/Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis (UP/UPS), two types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  Cellceutix has formed research collaborations with world-renowned research institutions in the United States and Europe, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Bologna. More information is available at www.cellceutix.com . 

Forward-Looking Statements : This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements concerning projected timelines for the initiation and completion of clinical trials, our future drug development plans, other statements regarding future product developments, including with respect to specific indications, and any other statements which are other than statements of historical fact. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause Cellceutix's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. Cellceutix has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Among other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are Cellceutix's need for, and the availability of, substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and research and development; including the amount and timing of the sale of shares of common stock to Aspire Capital; the fact that Cellceutix's compounds may not successfully complete pre-clinical or clinical testing, or be granted regulatory approval to be sold and marketed in the United States or elsewhere. A more complete description of these risk factors is included in Cellceutix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Cellceutix undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT Cellceutix Corporation Leo Ehrlich info@cellceutix.com