Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.Kosan Biosciences has initiated a multi-center phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its Roche co-developed potential Taxol rival, KOS-862, in prostate cancer.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
KOS-862 (Epothilone D) is a polyketide that inhibits cancer cells by the same mechanism as paclitaxel (marketed as Taxol by Bristol-Myers squibb). Preclinical models have shown the compound to be effective against paclitaxel-resistant tumors.
The phase II trial follows encouraging data from preclinical and clinical trials to date and will evaluate the anti-tumor activity and clinical benefit of KOS-862 in prostate cancer.
The trial is expected to enroll between 20 and 50 hormone refractory patients who have progressed following treatment with a docetaxel-based regimen. Changes in prostate specific antigen (PSA) and tumor response will be assessed to determine clinical activity.
Under a global development and commercialization agreement between Roche and Kosan, Roche has the worldwide exclusive right to market and sell KOS-862 and epothilone analogs owned by or licensed to Kosan for the treatment of cancer.
Kosan will co-develop and has the right to co-promote Kosan/Roche epothilone products in the US for the treatment of cancer. The Roche-Kosan partnership’s clinical plans include evaluating KOS-862 in ongoing phase Ib combination studies with Eli Lilly’s Gemzar, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Paraplatin and Genentech’s Herceptin and a phase II monotherapy trial in metastatic breast cancer.
Kosan is expecting interim data from the first stage of the phase II prostate cancer study in Q4 2005.