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news.Novel drug research and development firm Hutchison MediPharma (HMP) has started a phase 1 clinical trial of sulfatinib oral drug candidate in the US.
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Sulfatinib inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity related with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and fibroblast growth receptor (FGFR), which plays a role in tumour growth.
The study aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability of sulfatinib in patients with advanced solid tumours.
HMP plans to start a phase II study in neuroendocrine tumours (NET) based on the results of phase I study.
In a phase I clinical trial in China, sulfatinib’s objective response rate was 44.4% in the 18 efficacy-evaluable NET patients.
HMP said sunitinib and everolimus, the two approved single agent therapies for pancreatic NET, achieved objective response rates of less than 10% in their pivotal clinical trials.
NET responses to sulfatinib have been demonstrated to enhance gradually with time.
HMP is also planning to start two phase III registration studies to treat NET and a phase Ib trial for the treatment of thyroid cancer with sulfatinib in China by the end of this year.
Apart from the US phase I clinical trial, HMP is undertaking or in the process of commencing four clinical trials in China.
HMP is a subsidiary of Hutchison China MediTech, which develops, manufactures and sells pharmaceuticals and health-related consumer products.