Lorus to be granted European patent for cancer drug

GTI-2501 has shown a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies and in a phase I clinical trial. The drug is currently in a phase II clinical trial, in combination with docetaxel, for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer. Initial testing of GT-2501 demonstrated strong antitumor activity in preclinical studies of prostate cancer and a variety of other human tumor types.

This European patent allowance follows a patent that was issued by the United States Patent Office in September 2000. A patent application for GTI-2501 has been filed in Canada and in numerous other international jurisdictions.

The drug is an antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the R1 component of ribonucleotide reductase, which is essential for DNA replication and tumor cell proliferation. GTI-2501 is designed to exert its activity by specific downregulation of the R1 component of ribonucleotide reductase.

During preclinical studies, GTI-2501 showed significant antitumor activity against prostate cancer and a variety of other tumor types including colon, pancreas, none small cell lung cancer, breast, ovary, melanoma, brain (glioblastoma-astrocytoma), renal, cervical, lymphoma and leukemia.

“Lorus Therapeutics is focused on developing anticancer drugs which complement the efficacy of more toxic chemotherapies without adding significant additional toxicity,” said Dr Jim Wright, CEO of Lorus. “We are pleased with the mild side effect profile previously observed with GTI-2501 alone, and the strong data and rationale supporting the ongoing clinical program in combination treatment for prostate cancer.”