First Cancer Patient Treated at the Karmanos Cancer Center
NEW HAVEN, CT, USA I January 21, 2014 I Kolltan Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biopharmaceutical company, today announced treatment of the first cancer patient with Kolltan’s lead drug candidate, KTN3379, as part of a Phase 1 clinical study evaluating safety, preliminary evidence of antitumor activity, and pharmacokinetics. KTN3379 is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of ErbB3, a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. KTN3379 has a dual mechanism of action that blocks activity of ErbB3 when activated by stimulatory growth factor neuregulin or by other receptor tyrosine kinases (such as ErbB2) in the absence of neuregulin. Currently marketed products, both antibodies and small molecules, that are active against other members of the ErbB family have shown clinical benefit in the treatment of a range of solid tumors, including lung, head and neck, colorectal and breast malignancies. However, there is currently no marketed drug that binds to and inhibits the action of ErbB3.
Dr. Jerry McMahon, President and CEO of Kolltan, commented, “The ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase plays a key role in many cancers by driving growth, survival and resistance of tumors. KTN3379 is a novel human antibody that potently blocks ErbB3 signaling by binding to a unique epitope on the extracellular domain of the kinase to disable this target especially when it is recruited by the ErbB2 (HER2) and EGF receptors.” He added, “KTN3379 has the potential of being combined with other targeted therapies where KTN3379 would block ErbB3 in a way that would overcome limitations by current marketed agents targeting other ErbB targets in cancer patients.”
Dr. Carolyn Sidor, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Kolltan, said, “This important Phase 1 study is focused on generating the safety, antitumor activity and pharmacokinetic data needed to progress this novel drug candidate into clinical studies for several tumor types that may be dependent on ErbB activity. We are excited that Karmanos has treated the first patient in our clinical study and look forward to advancing quickly through these initial stages of clinical testing.”
About Kolltan Pharmaceuticals
Kolltan, a privately held clinical-stage company, is advancing a new generation of therapeutics in oncology and other diseases by creating novel biologic agents that can modulate the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Kolltan has a unique understanding of RTKs, their ligands, and cellular signaling and has assembled a team with significant expertise and unique insight into these drug targets. Kolltan’s senior management has a track record of success in bringing products to patients and significant value to shareholders. Located adjacent to the Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut, Kolltan is advancing a new generation of therapeutics in oncology and other diseases, in collaboration with the laboratory of Kolltan founder, Dr. Joseph Schlessinger.
SOURCE: Kolltan Pharmaceuticals
Post Views: 186
First Cancer Patient Treated at the Karmanos Cancer Center
NEW HAVEN, CT, USA I January 21, 2014 I Kolltan Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biopharmaceutical company, today announced treatment of the first cancer patient with Kolltan’s lead drug candidate, KTN3379, as part of a Phase 1 clinical study evaluating safety, preliminary evidence of antitumor activity, and pharmacokinetics. KTN3379 is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of ErbB3, a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. KTN3379 has a dual mechanism of action that blocks activity of ErbB3 when activated by stimulatory growth factor neuregulin or by other receptor tyrosine kinases (such as ErbB2) in the absence of neuregulin. Currently marketed products, both antibodies and small molecules, that are active against other members of the ErbB family have shown clinical benefit in the treatment of a range of solid tumors, including lung, head and neck, colorectal and breast malignancies. However, there is currently no marketed drug that binds to and inhibits the action of ErbB3.
Dr. Jerry McMahon, President and CEO of Kolltan, commented, “The ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase plays a key role in many cancers by driving growth, survival and resistance of tumors. KTN3379 is a novel human antibody that potently blocks ErbB3 signaling by binding to a unique epitope on the extracellular domain of the kinase to disable this target especially when it is recruited by the ErbB2 (HER2) and EGF receptors.” He added, “KTN3379 has the potential of being combined with other targeted therapies where KTN3379 would block ErbB3 in a way that would overcome limitations by current marketed agents targeting other ErbB targets in cancer patients.”
Dr. Carolyn Sidor, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Kolltan, said, “This important Phase 1 study is focused on generating the safety, antitumor activity and pharmacokinetic data needed to progress this novel drug candidate into clinical studies for several tumor types that may be dependent on ErbB activity. We are excited that Karmanos has treated the first patient in our clinical study and look forward to advancing quickly through these initial stages of clinical testing.”
About Kolltan Pharmaceuticals
Kolltan, a privately held clinical-stage company, is advancing a new generation of therapeutics in oncology and other diseases by creating novel biologic agents that can modulate the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Kolltan has a unique understanding of RTKs, their ligands, and cellular signaling and has assembled a team with significant expertise and unique insight into these drug targets. Kolltan’s senior management has a track record of success in bringing products to patients and significant value to shareholders. Located adjacent to the Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut, Kolltan is advancing a new generation of therapeutics in oncology and other diseases, in collaboration with the laboratory of Kolltan founder, Dr. Joseph Schlessinger.
SOURCE: Kolltan Pharmaceuticals
Post Views: 186
