MEK-162: 

5-((4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-4-fluoro-N-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-6-carboxamide.

May 6, 2013 

Array BioPharma Inc. today announced that it will initiate a global Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) during the summer of 2013. The study, called MILO (MEK Inhibitor in Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer), will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MEK162 compared to standard chemotherapy treatments and is designed for worldwide regulatory submissions, including with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Array invented MEK162 and licensed worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the drug to Novartis in April 2010. The MILO study follows a recent announcement by Novartis detailing plans to initiate Phase 3 trials of MEK162 in both NRAS- and BRAF-mutant melanoma and will be covered as part of the Novartis/Array co-development agreement under which costs are capped annually and in total for Array.

MEK162 (ARRY-162) is an oral, highly selective MEK inhibitor. In preclinical studies, MEK162 showed significant antitumor activities in cell lines and animal models. MEK162 is now being investigated in trials in advanced solid tumors. Recent research confirms that the MEK pathway acts as a central axis in the proliferation of different tumors including melanoma, non-small cell lung, head/neck and pancreatic cancers.  And MEK inhibition, either alone or in combination with other agents, is an important therapeutic strategy in treating cancer.  ARRY-162 is a novel, orally active, potent, selective, non-ATP-competitive inhibitor of MEK 1 / 2 that has the potential to treat a range of malignant diseases. (source:http://www.arraybiopharma.com/ProductPipeline/Cancer/MEK.asp).

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