Innovate acquires rights to prostate cancer agent

Capridine-Beta is a novel nitroacridine derivative which has shown specific activity against prostate cancer and which, as preclinical toxicology studies have indicated, may be less myelosupressive than commonly used cytotoxic agents.

Capridine-Beta works by stimulating expression of p16, the tumor-supressor gene and inhibits cyclic dependent kinases CDK-2, CDK-4 and CDK-6. It also renders aggressive hormone-independent prostate cells hormone-sensitive and so may be effective in treating both hormone-sensitive and hormone-insensitive tumors in combination with anti-androgen therapy.

An investigational new drug (IND) submission to conduct a phase I clinical trial for prostate cancer is currently being prepared. The phase I trial is intended to determine the maximum tolerated dose of Capridine-Beta given as a single agent in patients with advanced solid tumors. Secondary objectives of the trial will be to evaluate toxicities associated with the drug, obtain preliminary data on therapeutic efficacy, and investigate the pharmacokinetics of intravenous Capridine-Beta in patients with advanced solid tumors.

“We are pleased to have obtained the rights to this promising product for prostate cancer,” said Dr Nigel Rulewski, senior vice president of Bioaccelerate Holdings and CEO of Innovate Oncology. “Innovate Oncology has a portfolio of ten products in development, six in clinical development and four in preclinical development, and we expect these compounds to gain significant value during their development over the next two years.”