Carrick licenses targeted ovarian cancer drug from BTG

The investigational drug, a combination of the targeting folate receptor α (FRα) and inhibiting thymidylate synthase, will now be referred to as CT900.

The small molecule compound – discovered by the Institute of Cancer Research - selectively enters cancer cells that over express folate receptor α (FRα) versus normal tissues and inhibits thymidylate synthase, leading to cell death.

Early clinical data is promising - in a Phase I study led by the ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, seven of ten women with advanced ovarian cancer who had the particular molecular marker for the drug responded to treatment, the firm noted.

"The efficacy results that we have seen so far for CT900 are very promising. The beauty of this drug is that it is targeted to the tumour cells, meaning there are fewer side-effects and making it a very promising treatment for women with ovarian cancer," said Professor Paul Workman, chief executive and President of The ICR, London, commenting on its potential.

Under the terms of the deal with BTG, financial details of which were not revealed, Carrick has gained exclusive worldwide development and commercialisation rights to CT900 and has already commenced preparations for pivotal studies.

The firm is also planning a clinical development programme in other cancers that express high levels of folate receptor alpha, it said.

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