The epothilone compound, known as R1645, was well tolerated and demonstrated antitumor activity against ovarian and non-small cell lung cancers in a phase I trial.
Epothilones are anticancer agents which inhibit cell division with a mechanism of action similar to taxanes, one of the most widely used classes of chemotherapeutic agents. Kosan's epothilones are designed to be superior to other epothilones, having the potential to overcome multi-drug resistance, to be synergistic in combination with other therapies and have a broad therapeutic index against a wide range of tumors.
“With the ongoing support from our partner Roche, we can continue our broad- based clinical program for the development of improved epothilones such as R1645, which we believe ultimately have the potential to compete successfully in the large taxane market,” said Robert Johnson, Jr., Kosan's president and CEO.
Kosan and Roche established a global development and commercialization agreement for epothilones to treat cancer in September 2002. Roche funds development of the drug and has the rights to market and sell R1645, if approved. Kosan will co-develop and have the right to co-promote the product in the US.