SUGEN Announces Collaborative Research and Development Agreement with National Cancer Institute

Strategic Insights -

SUGEN, a biopharmaceutical company, has signed a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the clinical development of SU101, an anticancer compound. SU101 interacts with key cell signalling molecules, termed tyrosine kinases (TKs), and has been shown to selectively block signalling mediated by the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor. The compound is being tested in a Phase I clinical trial protocol at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to evaluate its safety in patients with malignant glioma.

Key Takeaways:

  • SUGEN has entered into a CRADA with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collaborate on the clinical development of SU101, an anticancer compound.
  • SU101 is a small synthetic molecule signal transduction inhibitor that selectively blocks PDGF-mediated signalling by targeting tyrosine kinases (TKs).
  • The compound has shown anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies and is being tested in a Phase I clinical trial protocol at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
  • The research project with the NCI will focus on establishing the safety and efficacy of SU101 in adult patients, with the goal of supporting registration and marketing in the United States as rapidly as possible.
  • SUGEN will remain responsible for manufacturing, formulation development, and preclinical testing, while NCI and SUGEN will share responsibility for monitoring and data collection for the clinical trials.
  • SU101 has the potential to become a useful treatment for cancer by selectively blocking PDGF-mediated signalling, which is involved in the proliferation of certain cancers.

Statistics:

  • The CRADA between SUGEN and NCI will focus on the clinical development of SU101 in cancer indications where anti-tumor activity was observed in preclinical studies.
  • SU101 has potential broad application in addressing cancer by selectively blocking PDGF-mediated signalling.
  • In vivo animal studies at SUGEN have demonstrated that synthetic small molecules with high specificity for TK signalling pathways, such as SU101, block tumor growth in relevant disease models and potentially may reduce side effects compared to conventional treatment.
  • SUGEN is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of proprietary small-molecule drugs which target two complementary classes of signal transduction molecules, known as tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphatases, and their signalling pathways.
  • SUGEN's shares have been traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market System under the symbol SUGN since October 1994.

Sources:

  • BUSINESS WIRE, Aug. 16, 1995.
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI).
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
  • SUGEN, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUGN).
  • Burns McClellan, Inc.
  • Lilian S. Stern, 212/505-1919 (Investors).