• GFT505 blocks the proliferation of human cancer cells in pre-clinical models representative of numerous types of cancer. 
  • A new patent application has been filed for GFT505. 

LILLE, France and BOSTON, MA, USA I January 29, 2014 I GENFIT (Alternext: ALGFT; ISIN: FR0004163111), a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of drug discovery and development, focusing on the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of cardiometabolic and associated disorders, today announces new pre-clinical data demonstrating the inhibitory effects of GFT505 on the proliferation of cancer cells of different origins.

GENFIT previously launched a major research program on the mechanism of action and the cellular signaling pathways implicated in GFT505 treatment. In this context, GENFIT today reports new data concerning the potential protective effects of GFT505 in different types of cancer.

In these studies, the effects of GFT505 on the proliferation of 21 human cancer cell lines were evaluated in vitro. The cell lines used originated from different types of cancer: meningiomas, leukemia, lung cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, pancreatic cancer, myeloproliferative disorders, skin cancer (dermatofibrosarcoma), colon cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and prostate cancer. GFT505 blocks proliferation in the majority of these cell types, suggesting protective in numerous types of tumor. These results support a new international patent application on the use of GFT505 in the treatment of several cancer types.

Commenting on this data, Dr. Robert Walczak, Director of Research at GENFIT, declared:  «Today, GFT505 is being developed in NASH with the aim of preventing not only the development of liver cirrhosis but also reducing the associated risk of liver cancer. This new data completes that previously obtained in the liver, and further strengthens the potential of GFT505 in the field of oncology ».

About GENFIT:

GENFIT is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the Discovery and Development of drug candidates in therapeutic fields linked to cardiometabolic disorders (prediabetes/diabetes, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, inflammatory diseases.). GENFIT uses a multi-pronged approach based on early diagnosis, preventive solutions, and therapeutic treatments and advances therapeutic research programs, either independently or in partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Sanofi, to address these major public health concerns and their unmet medical needs.
GENFIT’s research programs have resulted in the creation of a rich and diversified pipeline of drug candidates at different stages of development, including GENFIT’s lead proprietary compound, GFT505, that is currently in Phase IIb.  

With facilities in Lille, France, and Cambridge, MA (USA), the Company has approximately 80 employees. GENFIT is a public company listed on the Alternext trading market by Euronext(TM) Paris (Alternext: ALGFT; ISIN: FR0004163111). www.genfit.com

SOURCE: Genfit