CP-4200 is a novel LVT derivative of azacitidine, which is approved for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disease that sometimes develops to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). CP-4200 has in preclinical models demonstrated important advantages over azacitidine, including increased re-constitution of normal cell function, less dependency of multidrug resistance, improved cellular uptake and more rapid onset of activity. These improved properties may result in expanded clinical applicability and improved efficacy.
Epigenetic modulators are intended to restore normal function of genes that control how cells develop and grow in the human body at doses with low cytotoxic activity. VidazaTM (azacitidine) is currently approved for myelodysplastic syndrome and certain forms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML). Sales of Vidaza are growing rapidly and in 2008 US sales totalled more than USD 200 million. The use of epigenetic modulators is expected to expand into many cancer types in the future and thus represents a huge market potential.
CP-4200 is licensed from The Mount Sinai Medical Center and its renowned Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) in New York, NY. Researchers at MSSM's oncology division who have contributed to the development of several groundbreaking cancer drugs over the last decades collaborated with Clavis on some of the preclinical studies of CP-4200*.
CP-4200 is currently in preclinical research phase and further preclinical studies are ongoing.
"CP-4200 represents an important step towards the future of cancer treatment", says Geir Christian Melen, CEO of Clavis Pharma. "We are very pleased with the results so far and look forward to continue the development of our new drug candidate" he continues.
Contact:
Geir Christian Melen
Chief Executive Officer
Office : +47 24 11 09 50
Mobile : +47 91 30 29 65
E-mail :
geir.christian.melen@clavispharma.com
Gunnar Manum
Chief Financial Officer
Office : +47 24 11 09 71
Mobile : +47 95 17 91 90
E-mail :
gunnar.manum@clavispharma.com
About epigenetics
In biology, the term epigenetics refers to heritable changes in phenotype (appearance) or gene expression caused by mechanisms
other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence (hence the name epi - "in addition to" - genetics). These changes may remain
through cell divisions for the remainder of the cell's life and may also last for multiple cellular generations. However,
there is no change in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism; instead, non-genetic factors can strengthen or weaken the
expression of genes and thereby potentially modify cellular functions.
About Clavis Pharma
Clavis Pharma ASA is an oncology focused pharmaceutical company using its proprietary Lipid Vector Technology (LVT) platform
to create New Chemical Entities (NCEs), by significantly improving already established drugs. The improvements are achieved
by chemically binding specific unsaturated lipids to existing, and well understood, approved pharmaceuticals. Data generated
suggests the resulting patentable NCEs offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects through enhanced pharmacokinetic properties,
greater tissue penetration and, in many cases, additional modes of action.
Clavis Pharma's objective is to develop its drug candidates until significant value has been created and proof of principle in man has been shown. For further clinical development and commercialisation of the products, Clavis Pharma will enter into strategic partnerships with established pharmaceutical or biotech companies. The company's product portfolio includes four new cancer drugs: Elacytarabine [pINN] and Intravenous CP-4126 are in Clinical Phase II, Oral CP-4126 in Phase I, and CP-4200 is in early preclinical development. Results indicate that these products have promising potential for several cancer indications within solid tumours and leukaemia.
The shares of Clavis Pharma ASA are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: CLAVIS).