Spectrum to get US patent for bladder cancer drug

“This action by the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is very important to Spectrum as it will provide US market exclusivity through 2022,” stated Dr Rajesh Shrotriya, chairman of the board, CEO and president of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.

“We believe the receipt of notice of allowance is especially timely in light of EOquin moving closer to pivotal clinical trials through the recently completed enrollment of multi-center phase II trials.”

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals announced the completion of enrollment in the EOquin multi-center phase II trial for refractory superficial bladder cancer earlier this year. The company plans to present phase II data on EOquin at the European Association of Urologists Congress, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey during March 2005.

Data previously reported from the phase II trial confirmed anti-tumor activity against refractory superficial bladder cancer, as evidenced by 61% of patients showing a complete response (complete disappearance of the tumor as confirmed by biopsy) after receiving six weekly treatments with EOquin.

Results also demonstrated that EOquin was well-tolerated, with no systemic toxicity, and local toxicity limited to chemical cystitis in one patient, dysuria and hematuria. While follow-up was short, no responding patient had relapsed, confirming the promising response duration observed in a previous phase I trial.