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DRUG APPROVALS BY DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO
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Researchers Begin Shigella Vaccine Trial , WRSs2 and WRSs3
FEB2013
PHASE 1 Safety and Immunogenicity of Two Live, Attenuated Oral Shigella Sonnei Vaccines WRSs2 and WRSs3
Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, dose-escalation, inpatient study of single doses of S. sonnei. Enroll serial groups up to 90 subjects. Evaluate safety and tolerance of WRSs2 by monitoring presence and severity of clinical signs and symptoms, evaluate the immune response in blood and stool following ingestion of WRSs2
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01336699
Shigellosis is one of those nasty bacterial diseases that follows the cringeworthy fecal-oral route to infect humans and other primates. Mild cases bring stomachaches; the severe end includes cramping, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and it generally only gets more disgusting from there. While the disease can occur all over the world—estimates suggest ninety million cases of Shigellosis dysentery each year—the greatest mortality occurs in the third world. Hoping to stem transmission, or, at least, minimize the damage it causes, the World Health Organization has long called for a vaccine to stop Shigella infection.
And, today, scientists are one step closer. The National Institutes of Health announced that two Shigella vaccine have entered early-stage human clinical trials:
Researchers have launched an early-stage human clinical trial of two related candidate vaccines to prevent infection with Shigella, bacteria that are a significant cause of diarrheal illness, particularly among children. The Phase 1 clinical trial, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, will evaluate the vaccines for safety and their ability to induce immune responses among 90 healthy adults ages 18 to 45 years. The trial is being conducted at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the eight NIAID-funded Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units in the United States.
Researchers have launched an early-stage human clinical trial of two related candidate vaccines to prevent infection with Shigella, bacteria that are a significant cause of diarrheal illness, particularly among children. The Phase I clinical trial, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, will evaluate the vaccines for safety and their ability to induce immune responses among 90 healthy adults ages 18 to 45 years. The trial is being conducted at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the eight NIAID-funded Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units in the United States ….
…. Led by principal investigator Robert W. Frenck, Jr., M.D., director of clinical medicine at Cincinnati Children’s, the new clinical trial will evaluate two related candidate vaccines, known as WRSs2 and WRSs3, which have been found to be safe and effective when tested in guinea pigs and nonhuman primates. Both target Shigella sonnei, one of the bacteria’s four subtypes and the cause of most shigellosis outbreaks in developed and newly industrialized countries. Though neither candidate vaccine has been tested in humans, a precursor to both, known as WRSs1, was found to be safe and generated an immune response in small human trials in the United States and Israel. This early work was supported by NIAID, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. All three versions of the vaccine were developed by researchers at the Walter Reed institute.
Alexza gets EU thumbs-up for Adasuve, Loxapine
LOXAPINE
2-Chloro-11-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine
FEBRUARY 22, 2013
Alexza Pharmaceuticals of the USA and partnerFerrer are celebrating after getting the green light for their inhaled antipsychotic Adasuve.
The European Commission has granted marketing authorisation to Adasuve (loxapine) for the rapid control of mild-to-moderate agitation in adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The approval is based on two Phase III studies involving over 650 patients which showed that the drug demonstrated statistically significant reductions in agitation from baseline compared to placebo.
The approval requires that patients receive regular treatment immediately after control of acute agitation symptoms, and that Adasuve is administered only in a hospital setting. Also, short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator treatment should be available for treatment of possible severe respiratory side-effects.
Alexza chief executive Thomas King noted that Adasuve is the first authorised non-injectable therapy for these indications, noting that it will be launched on both sides of the Atlantic in the third quarter – US approval was granted in December.
Spain’s Ferrer has Adasuve rights in Europe, Latin America, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States countries. Chief executive Jordi Ramental said the focus for the initial EU launch will be Germany and Austria in 2013, adding that “at the same time, we are compiling the registration dossiers for the non-EU countries in our licensed territory”.
Links
Loxapine (Loxapac, Loxitane) is a typical antipsychotic medication, used primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia. It is a member of the dibenzoxazepine class and structurally related to clozapine (which belongs to the chemically akin class of dibenzodiazepines). Several researchers have argued that Loxapine may behave as an atypical antipsychotic.[1]
Loxapine may be metabolized by N-demethylation to amoxapine, a tetracyclic antidepressant.[2]
Dosage
The typical starting dosage is 10 mg twice daily; usual dose range 30–50 mg twice daily; maximum recommended dosage is 250 mg per day. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved loxapine ( Adasuve , Alexza Pharmaceuticals) inhalation powder 10 mg for the acute treatment of agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder in adults. [4]
Schmutz, J.; Kunzle, F.; Hunziker, F.; Gauch, R.; Helv. Chim. Acta 1967, 50, 245.
- Glazer WM (1999). “Does loxapine have “atypical” properties? Clinical evidence”. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 60 (Suppl 10): 42–6. PMID 10340686.
- Cheung SW, Tang SW, Remington G (March 1991). “Simultaneous quantitation of loxapine, amoxapine and their 7- and 8-hydroxy metabolites in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography”. Journal of Chromatography 564 (1): 213–21. doi:10.1016/0378-4347(91)80083-O. PMID 1860915.
- Sperry L, Hudson B, Chan CH (March 1984). “Loxapine abuse”. The New England Journal of Medicine 310 (9): 598. doi:10.1056/NEJM198403013100920. PMID 6694719.
- Harrison, Pam: Inhalant Approved for Agitation in Bipolar I, Schizophrenia. Medscape. Dec 24, 2012. “Clozapine and loxapine for schizophrenia”. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 29 (11): 41–2. May 1991. PMID 1747161.
- Chakrabarti A, Bagnall A, Chue P, et al. (2007). Chakrabarti, Abhijit. ed. “Loxapine for schizophrenia”. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online) (4): CD001943. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001943.pub2. PMID 17943763.
- Brennand, Kristen; Anthony Simone, Jessica Jou, Chelsea Gelboin-Burkhart, Ngoc Tran, Sarah Sangar, Yan Li, Yangling Mu, Gong Chen, Diana Yu, Shane McCarthy, Jonathan Sebat & Fred H. Gage (13 April 2011). “Modelling schizophrenia using human induced pluripotent stem cells”. Nature 473 (7346): 221–5. doi:10.1038/nature09915. PMID 21490598.
ONO Pharmaceutcal files for approval of Additional Indication for Onoact® 50 injection, Short-Acting Selective β1 Blocker in Japan
disease. AF/AFL with LV dysfunction accompanying by persistent elevated heart rate would lead to further deterioration of cardiac performance. Swift rate control is inevitable to be restored from this detrimental condition, however, no drug on market can provide both the features of fast-acting and easy titratability for tachyarrhythmia (AF/AFL) with LV dysfunction.
Onoact® 50 for injection is the short-acting selective β1 blocker which reduces heart rate by selectively blocking β1 receptors located chiefly in the heart and this fast-acting drug can be easily titrated.
We expect that Onoact® 50 for injection can contribute to promptly reducing heart rate without causing deterioration of cardiac performance in treatment of tachyarrhythmia (AF/AFL) with LV dysfunction.
This short-acting selective β1 blocker drug is discovered and developed by ONO and has been widely used by many patients since its launch. The drug has firstly received approval for emergency treatment of intra-operative tachyarrhythmia (atrial fibrillation and flutter, and sinus tachycardia) in July 2002. Then, it had also been approved for additional indication of emergency treatment of post-operative tachyarrhythmia (atrial fibrillation and flutter, and sinus tachycardia) with monitoring of circulatory dynamics in October 2006.
| Identifiers | |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 133242-30-5 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C25H39N3O8 |
| Mol. mass | 509.59 g/mol |
Landiolol (INN) is a drug which acts as a highly cardioselective, ultra short-acting beta blocker. It is used as an anti-arrhythmic agent.
- Yoshiya I (December 1998). “[Landiolol hydrochloride, a new sympathetic beta blocker]” (in Japanese). Masui 47 Suppl: S126–32. PMID 9921175.
- Ogata J, Okamoto T, Minami K (2003). “Landiolol for the treatment of tachyarrhythmia associated with atrial fibrillation”. Can J Anaesth 50 (7): 753. doi:10.1007/BF03018726. PMID 12944459
FDA Approves Natrelle 410 Breast Implant
Silicone gel-filled breast implants
Image/FDA
Feb. 20, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Allergan’s new silicone gel-filled breast implant today, making it the fourth FDA-approved silicone gel-filled breast implant product available in the U.S, according to an FDA news release Feb. 20.
The product, the Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Gel Filled Breast Implant, can be used increase breast size (augmentation) in women at least 22 years old and to rebuild breast tissue (reconstruction) in women of any age.
According to the FDA, the approval is based on seven years of data from 941 women. Most complications and outcomes reflect those found in previous breast implant studies including tightening of the area around the implant (capsular contracture), re-operation, implant removal, an uneven appearance (asymmetry), and infection.
It’s important to remember that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Women should fully understand the risks associated with breast implants before considering augmentation or reconstruction surgery, and they should recognize that long-term monitoring is essential,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
“The data we reviewed showed a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” said Shuren.
The FDA requires that Allergan conduct a series of post-approval studies to assess long-term safety and effectiveness outcomes and the risks of rare disease.
Neurim Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results of Piromelatine for the Treatment of Insomnia
Chemical structures of Neu-P11 (a) and Neu-P5 (b).
structure from- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0731708512005304#gr1
ZURICH, Feb. 18, 2013 Neurim Pharmaceuticals announced today positive results from a phase II clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Piromelatine (Neu-P11), a novel investigational multimodal sleep medicine developed for the treatment of patients with primary and co-morbid insomnia. The new results are from a recent double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, parallel group, non-confirmatory, sleep-laboratory study. The study evaluated piromelatine compared to placebo in 120 adult primary insomnia patients ages 18 years and older.
Piromelatine 20/50mg treatment for 4 weeks resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements relative to placebo in key polysomnographic (PSG) parameters including Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO) (p=0.02 for both doses) and in particular WASO for the first 6 hours of sleep (WASO-6h) (p=0.0008 and p=0.04 for the 50 mg and 20 mg groups, respectively). Piromelatine 50 mg also improved Sleep Efficiency (SEF) (p=0.02), Total Sleep Time (TST) (p=0.02), Total Time Awake (TTA) (p=0.01) and time in NREM sleep (p=0.028) indicating beneficial effects on sleep maintenance. Subjective improvements relative to placebo in quality of sleep and total sleep time measured by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI) were also observed, confirming the PSG findings. Piromelatine enhanced NREM sleep EEG delta power and significantly reduced beta power (p<0.05). The decrease in EEG beta activity, a marker of cortical arousal, is a physiological surrogate marker of the efficacy of Piromelatine in sleep maintenance. Piromelatine was generally safe and well tolerated, had no detrimental effects on next-day psychomotor performance (as assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST)) for any dose group and no deleterious effects on sleep structure and architecture.
“Piromelatine demonstrates a good potential for the treatment of primary insomnia characterized by sleep maintenance disturbances as well as insomnia with psychiatric or medical co-morbidities,” said Prof. Nava Zisapel, CSO of Neurim. The study results will be presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) -Sleep 2013 meeting in Baltimore.
PIROMELATINE (NEU-P11)
Piromelatine is a novel compound under development for the treatment of insomnia associated with pain.
Piromelatine is a melatonin agonist, serotonin 5-HT-1A and 5-HT-1D agonist. The compound binds to the MT1, 2 and 3 receptors which govern the body’s sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm. The sleep promoting, analgesic, anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, anti-neurodegenerative, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of Piromelatine have been demonstrated in a series of relevant animal models.
Piromelatine is a multi-facet drug addressing a wide range of potential indications including, but not limited to, insomnia, IBS, neuropathy and fibromyalgia.
Neurim has recently completed a phase-II clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Piromelatine in patients with primary insomnia.
FDA approves UCLA IND application to commence embryonic stem cell-based trial
12 feb 2013
The USFDA has approved the investigator investigational new drug (IND) application of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the clinical partner of Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), to commence a clinical trial using the human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived cells to treat severe myopia.
Embryonic stem cell-based trial was designed to assess the hESC-derived ACT’s retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in patients with severe myopia (nearsightedness).
ACT chairman and CEO Gary Rabin said, “We are pleased to be on track to broaden the scope of our RPE program with the initiation of the new Investigator IND.”
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. They have the ability to renew themselves and to differentiate into a variety of different cell types that are found in the body. Unlike somatic or ‘adult’ stem cells, hESCs proliferate indefinitely. This, together with their ability to differentiate into most adult cell types, has resulted in the preferred use of these cells for research and therapeutic applications, as they represent a potentially indefinite source of therapeutic cells. Any cell therapy derived from hESCs would be allogeneic by nature. Some current studies involve the potential therapeutic application of hESCs for spinal cord injury, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Among the start up cell therapy companies, Geron and Advanced Cell Technologies have pioneered clinical trials using cells differentiated from hESCs.
BioAlliance Pharma announces the forthcoming extension of its phase II clinical trial with Validive® in the United States
CLONIDINE
FEB14 2013
BioAlliance Pharma SA (Euronext Paris – BIO), an innovative Company dedicated to the development of orphan oncology products and to supportive care products, announces the extension of its phase II clinical trial with Validive® (clonidine Lauriad™) in the United States in radio/chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis prevention in patients with head and neck cancer.
Further to approval by the United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration), BioAlliance Pharma will extend its clinical trial to the United States, increasing the number of clinical investigation centers involved in this randomized double blind phase II trial.
So far almost 50% of planned patients have been enrolled in about 30 European centers. With the upcoming initiation of several centers in the United States, BioAlliance Pharma expects to finalize trial recruitment in early 2014 with results expected the same year.
“Beyond accelerating recruitment, the extension of the trial to the United States is also a key factor to reinforce our international panel of scientific experts and clinical investigators around Validive®. This will raise awareness and create hands-on experience of the drug of future key prescribers of Validive® in major US centers specialized in oncology and radiotherapy,” stated Judith Greciet, CEO of BioAlliance Pharma.
Severe oral mucositis is a particularly invalidating pathology occurring in more than 60% of patients treated with radio/chemotherapy for head and neck cancer and has currently no validated curative or preventive treatment. It may induce intense oral pain and eating disability requiring enteral or parenteral nutritional support. Thirty per cent of patients need to be hospitalized as a result and symptoms can force patients to stop treatment for an undefined period thus reducing treatment efficacy.
Clonidine is a sympatholytic medication used to treat medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, ADHD, anxiety/panic disorder, and certain pain conditions. It is classified as a centrally acting α2 adrenergic agonist. An alternative hypothesis that has been proposed is that clonidine acts centrally as an imidazoline receptor agonist.
Synthesis
Clonidine, 2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)imidazoline, is synthesized from 2,6-dichloroaniline, the reaction of which with ammonium thiocyanate gives N-(2,6- dichlorophenyl)thiourea. Methylation of this product, followed by the subsequent reaction with ethylene diamine gives clonidine. 
- K. Zeile, H. Staehle, K. H. Hauotman, DE 1303141 (1961).
- H. Stahle, K. Zeile, U.S. Patent 3,202,660 (1965).
- K. Zeile, K. H. Hauotman, H. Stahle, U.S. Patent 3,236,857 (1966).
- Boehringer Sohn Ingelheim, BE 653933 (1964).
- Boehringer Sohn Ingelheim, GB 1016514 (1962).
- Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, GB 1034938 (1964).
US patent 3937717, Stahle, H.; Koppe, H.; Kummer, W.; Stockhaus, K., “2-Phenylamino-imidazolines-(2)”, issued 1976-02-10, assigned to Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
CLORPRES (clonidine hydrochloride and chlorthalidone) ® is a combination of clonidine hydrochloride (a centrally acting antihypertensive agent) and chlorthalidone (a diuretic).
CLORPRES (clonidine hydrochloride and chlorthalidone) ® is available as tablets for oral administration in three dosage strengths: 0.1 mg/15 mg, 0.2 mg/15 mg and 0.3 mg/15 mg of clonidine hydrochloride/chlorthalidone, respectively.
The inactive ingredients are ammonium chloride, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium (Type A), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, D&C yellow #10.
Clonidine Hydrochloride
Clonidine hydrochloride is an imidazoline derivative and exists as a mesomeric compound. The chemical name is 2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)imino]imidazoline monohydrochloride. The following are the structural formula, molecular formula and molecular weight:
 |
Clonidine hydrochloride is an odorless, bitter, white crystalline substance soluble in water and alcohol.
About BioAlliance Pharma
Dedicated to cancer and supportive care treatment with a focus on resistance targeting and orphan products, BioAlliance conceives and develops innovative products, for specialty markets especially in the hospital setting and for orphan or rare diseases.
Created in 1997 and introduced to the Euronext Paris market in 2005, BioAlliance Pharma’s ambition is to become a leading player in these fields by coupling innovation to patient needs. The company’s teams have the key competencies required to identify, develop and register drugs in Europe and the USA.
Teva Announces FDA Approval of Generic Adderall XR®
FEB 14 2013, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for the generic version of Shire’s Adderall XR®Capsules, 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg and 30 mg capsules for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Adderall XR® had annual sales, including brand and generic sales, of approximately $2 billion in the United States, based on IMS sales data as of December 31, 2012.
Teva currently sells a generic version of Adderall XR® Capsules under a 2006 license and distribution agreement with Shire as part of a settlement of patent litigation between Shire and Teva’s subsidiary Barr Pharmaceuticals. Under the terms of the agreement, Teva has the right to be supplied product by Shire through April 1, 2014.
Adderall is a psychostimulant medication that contains amphetamine. It is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.[1] Adderall is a combination of four amphetamine salts (racemic amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, racemic amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharide, and dextroamphetamine sulfate). It is a dopamine releasing agent, a norepinephrine releasing agent, and can be mildly serotonergic.[2] It is available in two formulations: IR (Instant Release) and XR (Extended Release). The immediate release formulation is indicated for use in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy,[3] while the XR formulation is approved for use only with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[2]
Important side effects of therapeutic dextroamphetamine include stunted growth in young people and occasionally a psychosis can occur at therapeutic doses during chronic therapy as a treatment emergent side effect.[4] When abused at high doses, the risk of experiencing side effects and the severity of side effects increases. Side effects may include sweating or shaking.
Like other stimulant drugs, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, Adderall directly affects the mesolimbic reward pathway in the brain. Amphetamine salt preparations are considered to have high abuse potential, and it is classified as Schedule II by the US DEA. With the Safe Streets and Communities Act in Canada, Adderall has been reclassified from Schedule III to Schedule I.[5]
- “Adderall”. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. http://www.drugs.com/monograph/adderall.html. Retrieved 3 April 2
- “Adderall XR prescribing information”. Shire US. March 2009. http://pi.shirecontent.com/PI/PDFs/AdderallXR_USA_ENG.PDF. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
- “ADDERALL (CII)” (PDF). Food and Drug Administration. February 2007. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/011522s040lbl.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
- Berman, SM.; Kuczenski, R.; McCracken, JT.; London, ED. (Feb 2009). “Potential adverse effects of amphetamine treatment on brain and behavior: a review.”. Mol Psychiatry 14 (2): 123–42. doi:10.1038/mp.2008.90. PMID 18698321.
- C-10
| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| Dextroamphetamine | Psychostimulant |
| Amphetamine | Psychostimulant |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Adderall, Adderall XR |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a601234 |
| Licence data | US Daily Med:link |
| Pregnancy cat. | C (US) |
| Legal status | Schedule I (CA) Schedule II (US) |
| Dependence liability | High |
| Routes | (Medical) Oral, (Recreational) Oral, Insufflated, Intravenous |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 51-64-9 300-62-9 |
Cerulean doses first patient in Phase 2 study of CRLX101 drug
Chemical structure of CRLX-101
(source: Svenson S, Wolfgang M, Hwang J, Ryan J, Eliasof S. J Control Release. 2011 Jul 15;153(1):49-55. Epub 2011 Mar 23.).
CRLX101 is a novel approach to cancer chemotherapy that is currently under investigation in human trials, and is an example of ananomedicine.
The agent represents a nanoparticle conjugate that consists of a drug delivery molecule, namely a cyclodextrin-based polymer (CDP) and an anti-cancer compound (camptothecin). It was developed by Dr. Mark E. Davis, professor of Chemical Engineering at theCalifornia Institute of Technology, and associates at Insert Therapeutics, Inc., now Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hence the original name “IT-101”. Its novel delivery mode allows the agent, and thus the toxic anti-cancer component, to be preferentially accumulated in cancer tissue. In turn, toxic side effect are expected to be reduced. The technology was licensed by Calando and Caltech to Cerulean Pharma Inc., in June, 2009.
CRLX101 is a camptothececin-nanoparticle conjugate, which is a novel approach to cancer chemotherapy that is currently under investigation in human trials. CRLX101 represents a nanoparticle conjugate that consists of a drug delivery molecule, namely a cyclodextrin-based polymer (CDP) and an anti-cancer compound (camptothecin). It was developed by Dr. Mark E. Davis, professor of Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology, and associates at Insert Therapeutics, Inc., now Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hence the original name “IT-101”. Its novel delivery mode allows the agent, and thus the toxic anti-cancer component, to be preferentially accumulated in cancer tissue. In turn, toxic side effect are expected to be reduced. The technology was licensed by Calando and Caltech to Cerulean Pharma Inc., in June, 2009. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRLX101).
Camptothecin (CPT) is a potent broad-spectrum anticancer agent that acts through inhibition of topoisomerase 1. Clinical development of CPT was unsuccessful due to poor drug solubility, insufficient in vivo stability of the active form, and toxicity. In order to address these issues, a polymeric nanoparticle comprised of cyclodextrin-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer (CDP) conjugated to CPT (CRLX101) has been developed and Phase 2 clinical studies are ongoing. Camptothecin is conjugated to the polymer in its active form at 10-12 wt.% loading. CRLX101 self-assembles in solution into nanoparticles with an apparent solubility increase of >1000-fold as compared to the parent drug camptothecin.
Current developer: Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc/Cerulean Pharma Inc.
Cerulean Pharma has dosed the first patient in a Phase 2 study of its investigational CRLX101 drug, designed for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients sensitive to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.
CRLX101, a tumor-targeted nanopharmaceutical, is a dual inhibitor of topoisomerase 1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a and releases camptothecin over an extended period of time.
The randomized study, which is being conducted at the University of Chicago School of Medicine and affiliated institutions, has enrolled 150-patient to compare the efficacy of CRLX101 with topotecan, a second-line therapy for relapsed SCLC.
The trial has co-primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and three-month PFS rate, claims the company.
During the company’s preclinical and Phase 1/2a clinical trial, CRLX101 has demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity.
Cerulean Pharma chief medical officer Edward Garmey said the company’s clinical experience with CRLX101 shows a benign safety profile.
“The standard of care in SCLC is not well tolerated, so if we can demonstrate an efficacy benefit versus standard of care, CRLX101 would have the added benefit of improved quality of life for these very sick patients,” Garmey added.
GSK files for EU approval of trametinib for melanoma
N-(3-{3-Cyclopropyl-5-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-6,8-dimethyl-2,4,7-trioxo-3,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1(2H)-yl}phenyl)acetamide
Trametinib (GSK1120212) is experimental cancer drug. It is a MEK inhibitor drug with anti-cancer activity.[1]
Trametinib had good results for V600E mutated metastatic melanoma in a phase III clinical trial.[2]
- Trametinib, NCI Drug Dictionary
- METRIC phase III study: Efficacy of trametinib (T), a potent and selective MEK inhibitor (MEKi), in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), compared with chemotherapy (C) in patients (pts) with BRAFV600E/K mutant advanced or metastatic melanoma (MM).
FEBRUARY 12, 2013
The European Medicines Agency has given GlaxoSmithKline’s melanoma drug an accelerated review.
The drug – a MEK inhibitor called trametinib – is seeking a European licence as both a monotherapy and in combination with GSK’s investigational BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation.
The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has granted GSK’s request for accelerated assessment of this application, meaning it may be on the market within six months if approved.
The application includes data from a Phase III study of trametinib monotherapy compared to the established chemotherapy agents dacarbazine or paclitaxel monotherapy in patients with BRAF V600 mutation positive metastatic melanoma
It also includes data from a randomised Phase I/II study comparing dabrafenib monotherapy to combination therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib in patients with BRAF V600 mutation positive metastatic melanoma
“We initiated a randomised study very early in the development programme to test whether the novel-novel combination could circumvent resistance to single agent anti-BRAF therapy and are encouraged by the results from this Phase I/II trial,” said Dr Rafael Amado, head of oncology R&D at GSK.
“We are planning further regulatory submissions based on these data, in the US and other countries in the coming months,” he added.
An application that has been granted accelerated assessment will have a maximum review time of 150 days, although the CHMP can extend this if needs be.
In August 2012, GSK announced regulatory submissions for dabrafenib monotherapy as a treatment for BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma in Europe and the USA, as well as a US submission for trametinib monotherapy as a treatment for BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma.
Trametinib and dabrafenib are investigational medicines and their use as monotherapy or combination therapy is not approved anywhere in the world.
Roche’s Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is currently the only licensed drug to treat BRAF positive melanoma patients, and is the first drug to increase overall survival in this patient population.
GSK is currently conducting a head-head Phase III trial against Zelboraf, with both of its drugs, results of which are expected next year. If approved GSK’s drugs will also be up against Bristol-Myers Squibb’s vaccine Yervoy, which works as a cancer vaccine.
Yervoy and Zelboraf are both expected to bring in peak annual sales of around $1 – $2 billion, making the new melanoma market a potentially lucrative venture for pharma.
New Drug Approvals