Array BioPharma has announced the filing of an investigational new drug (IND) application with the FDA, to initiate a phase 1 clinical trial in cancer patients with MEK inhibitor, ARRY-162.
Array plans to simultaneously develop ARRY-162 for the treatment of both cancer and inflammatory disease. Array is currently completing a worldwide phase 2, double-blinded clinical trial, with ARRY-162 in 200 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Kevin Koch, president and chief scientific officer of Array, said: “We are excited to expand our proprietary MEK program into oncology for the potential benefit of cancer patients.
“Increasing evidence confirms that MEK inhibition, either alone or in combination with other agents, is an important therapeutic strategy in treating cancer. We believe ARRY-162 will be most effective in selected populations of cancer patients, such as those with tumors having BRAF or KRAS mutations and in targeted combinations,” he added.