Breaking News From Pharma & Bio Ingredients
Nektar Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Program Evaluating NKTR-102 (PEG-irinotecan) for Potential to Treat Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors
Posted on 2007-03-13 15:43:00
SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nektar Therapeutics has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial program, evaluating the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of NKTR-102 (PEG-irinotecan), an innovative new oncology therapy with the potential to treat patients with refractory solid tumors, the company announced today.
NKTR-102 is a PEGylated small molecule invented by Nektar using its leading PEGylation technology. It is a PEGylated form of irinotecan, a chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of solid tumors. The Phase 1 trial is a multicenter, open-label, dose escalation study that will enroll up to 30 patients at multiple cancer research sites in the U.S.
About Nektar Advanced PEGylation Technology:
Nektar PEGylation technology can enhance the properties of therapeutic agents by increasing drug circulation time in the bloodstream, decreasing immunogenicity and dosing frequency, increasing bioavailability and improving drug solubility and stability. It is a technique in which non-toxic polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers are attached to therapeutic agents, and it is applicable to most major drug classes, including proteins, peptides, antibody fragments, small molecules, and other drugs. Nektar PEGylation technology is used in eight approved products in the U.S. and/or Europe today, including Roche's PEGASYS® for hepatitis C and Amgen's Neulasta® for neutropenia. Two other products using Nektar PEGylation technology have been filed for approval by Nektar partners in both the U.S. and the European Union, including UCB's Cimzia(TM) for Crohn's Disease.
Subscribe via RSS
