NT-113 Demonstrates Robust Activity Against Glioblastoma; Very High Capacity to Cross Blood Brain BarrierPreclinical Data Highlighted in Oral Presentation at World Federation of Neuro-Oncology Meeting

MENLO PARK, CA, USA I November 25, 2013 I NewGen Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that preclinical data demonstrate a high therapeutic potential for the company’s targeted therapeutic candidate for brain cancer, NT-113. Data from in vivo studies of the experimental drug demonstrated potent anticancer activity and improved survival in a mouse intracranial xenograft model implanted with both EGFR (epidermal growth factor)-amplified and EGFRvIII-mutated glioblastoma cell lines.

The findings were presented by scientists from the Brain Tumor Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) as an oral podium presentation entitled “Preclinical evaluation of NT-113, a novel erbB inhibitor optimized for CNS (central nervous system) biodistribution” at the 4th Quadrennial Meeting of the World Federation of Neuro-Oncology, on November 24, 2013 in San Francisco, California.

“Given NT-113’s robust anti-cancer activity in multiple intracranial human glioblastoma xenograft studies, excellent pharmacokinetics and very high capacity to cross the blood brain barrier, we plan to initially explore this potential targeted medicine for patients with glioblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases,” said Harry D. Pedersen, chief executive officer of NewGen Therapeutics. “EGFR alterations drive many solid tumors to grow and spread.  Overexpression and/or mutations of EGFR occur in 40-60% of glioblastoma patients and 40-80% of non-small cell lung cancer patients, most of whom eventually develop brain metastases. Focusing on patients with EGFR over-expression or mutations in these studies should result in higher response rates, improved survival and more rapid approval timelines.”

Mr. Pedersen commented that NewGen planned to initiate Phase 1 studies with NT-113 in early 2015.

About NewGen
NewGen Therapeutics is a privately held pharmaceutical company developing patient-targeted cancer drugs that are designed to overcome limitations of currently available therapies. The company’s pipeline includes multiple programs with novel small molecule drug leads against clinically important targets, each addressed to significant medical needs. NT-113, a potent irreversible pan-erbB inhibitor, is the company’s most advanced program and has demonstrated anti-cancer activity in several cancer xenograft studies, including glioblastoma, non-small cell lung, breast and gastric cancers.  For more information, please visit our website at  http://www.newgenther.com.

SOURCE: NewGen