BeiGene enrolls first patient in Phase I trial of BGB-290

BGB-290 is an investigational, oral, selective and potent inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an enzyme family which is involved in a number of cellular processes, including DNA repair and programmed cell death.

BGB-290 is the second compound in BeiGene’s two-asset collaboration with Merck, which was established in 2013 with the goal of leveraging Merck’s global oncology development and commercialization expertise. The first compound, BGB-283, an investigational second-generation B-RAF inhibitor, entered a Phase 1 study in November 2013.

"We are excited to begin dosing in the first-in-human trial of BGB-290, which we believe has the potential to be a new and better PARP inhibitor option for the treatment of cancer," said John V. Oyler, CEO of BeiGene.

"We continue to execute on our clinical plan through this strategic collaboration with Merck as we advance both compounds through the clinic and work toward our mission of developing life-saving cancer therapeutics to treat the unmet medical needs of cancer patients."

"I am very pleased to be involved in the clinical development of this exciting new investigational anti-cancer drug," commented Dr. Michael Millward, lead investigator for the trial and Cancer Council Professor of Clinical Cancer Research at the University of Western Australia.

"We are hopeful that BGB-290 will demonstrate the potential to offer significant advantages over other drugs in this class, and could become an important part of the treatment options for patients with common cancers including small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, primary brain tumors, and some ovarian and breast cancers."