Talactoferrin has demonstrated activity in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II studies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in severe sepsis.
The study has met the primary endpoint of reducing 28-day all-cause mortality.
Duke University School of Medicine Medical Oncology chief Jeffrey Crawford said Talactoferrin appears to reduce mortality in severe sepsis patients while being well tolerated in this very sick patient population.
"This could have important implications for subsequent studies in cancer patients, as they are particularly susceptible to developing sepsis since their immune systems are often depressed by the treatments they receive," Crawford said.
Two Phase III trials with talactoferrin in NSCLC are ongoing.
Agennix is also developing talactoferrin for the treatment of severe sepsis and has initiated a Phase II/III trial, called the OASIS trial.
The Phase II trial was funded by a grant from the US National Institutes of Health.