AFP-464 (aminoflavone pro-drug) is a novel anticancer agent currently being investigated in two phase I clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (“NCI”) in patients with solid tumors.
Preclinical studies into AFP-464’s mechanism of action have shown that AFP-464 is converted to metabolites, which bind covalently to DNA, resulting in p53 activation and apoptosis.
AFP-464 has shown a unique pattern of growth inhibitory activity in the NCI’s 60 tumor cell line screen, with breast, ovarian, lung and renal tumor cell lines exhibiting particular sensitivity to the compound.
“We are honored that the NIH has selected Tigris to license rights to this exciting cancer compound, which has already progressed to phase I clinical trials under NCI leadership,” stated Dr Edmundo Muniz, CEO of Tigris.
Under the terms of the license, Tigris will pay the NIH development-based milestone payments and royalties based on sales of the licensed product. Further financial details were not disclosed.