Pharmaceutical Business review

Mersana starts Phase 1b extension gastric cancer drug trial

Earlier, Mersana Therapeutics has released data from a Phase 1 trial evaluating XMT-1001, which showed high and prolonged plasma levels of XMT-1001 active release products and a safety profile free of the toxicities normally associated with topoisomerase 1 inhibitors, such as hemorrhagic cystitis and diarrhea.

The product showed evidence of clinical activity, including tumor shrinkage and prolonged stable disease, in a heavily pre-treated patient population.

Mersana Therapeutics CEO Nick Bacopoulos said their recently completed Phase 1 study has confirmed the potential efficacy and safety advantages of the unique design of their lead Fleximer conjugate, XMT-1001.

Phase 1b study principal investigator Edward Sausville said their clinical experience with XMT-1001 to date suggests that it can be safely given up to doses limited by its mechanism, and thus may be useful in maximizing the therapeutic potential of its class.