SR Pharma plc Announces Superior Therapeutic Efficacy of Atu027 RNAi in
pre-clinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer Compared to Gemcitabine®
London, UK, 29 November 2006 - SR Pharma plc (London LSE: SPA) today
announces that studies at the Charité Hospital, Berlin, Germany have
demonstrated the superior therapeutic efficacy of Atu027 RNAi in pre-clinical
models of pancreatic cancer when compared to the standard care treatment. The
data showed both inhibition of cancer growth and prevention of metastatic
spread, demonstrating potent efficacy and effective systemic delivery with no
adverse events. In particular Atu027 RNAi was significantly more effective in
the prevention of metastases than Gemcitabine®. The novel anti-angiogenic
treatment was feasible, safe and effective in vivo. The growth inhibitory and
anti-metastatic effects of Atu027 RNAi in the clinically relevant in vivo model
fully support further development of this substance for pancreatic cancer. A
phase I clinical trial using Atu027 RNAi in patients suffering from pancreatic
cancer is scheduled to start in 2007.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death. With the
exception of surgery in early stages, no curative treatment for this tumour
exists. Until now, only Gemcitabine® has been approved for palliative
treatment. A new drug showing effective control of tumour growth or
demonstrating tumour shrinkage will meet a large unmet medical need.
SR Pharma has concentrated its efforts to meet this medical need by developing
Atu027 RNAi. Atu027 RNAi is an exciting novel therapeutic drug being developed
based on small interfering RNA (siRNA). In these pre-clinical studies treatment
was with Atu027 RNAi, a modified and stabilized small interfering RNA drug,
formulated in a proprietary liposomal based delivery system (AtuPLEX). Atu027
RNAi works by specifically targeting PKN3, a proprietary protein kinase target.
Prof. Bertram Wiedenmann, Director Hepatology & Gastroenterology at the
Charité, Berlin, under whose supervision the studies were guided, stated: "The
results of these further studies at the Charité are very encouraging for
patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. The data achieved in these studies
have shown significant inhibition of both cell proliferation and metastatic
spread."
Klaus Giese, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of SR Pharma, said: "The data are
very encouraging and we are on track to enter the clinic with Atu027 RNAi in
2007. This product, to be delivered systemically, will be our first oncology
product into the clinic using AtuPLEX, our proprietary liposomal formulation" |
