Agouron's Matrix Mettalloprotease (MMP)- AG3340 is directly anti-angiogenic. Phase III clinical trials were started at the end of the last quarter (March, 98). AG3340 will be an oral pill, as opposed to Entremeds which needs to be injected. AG3340 is a small synthetic molecule.
Agouron probably has the largest number of anti-angiogenic programs and is probably one of the furthest along in clinical trials (in humans, as opposed to mice) for small molecule synthetic products.
AG3340 is in Phase III for non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with two anticancer drugs. It is also in Phase III for hormone-refractory prostate cancer in combination with mitoxantrone/prednisone. Agouron hopes to have an application for AG3340 by the end of 2000, maybe a little before.
As we have heard all day on CNBC, Entremed's Phase I clinical trials (in humans) are estimated to begin in one year.
"MMPs have been associated with tumor growth, the spread of tumor cells to secondary sites within the body (metastasis), and the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), through which tumor cells obtain nutrients and growth factors." Agouron believes that their MMP inhibitors, both first generation and second generation, are more specific than ones like Marimastat from British Biotech, as they are more selective and do not inhibit all MMPs as some MMP's are necessary for normal cell funtion and growth.
Agouron is also examining the use of AG3340 in the field of opthalmology, against macular degeneration and will be presenting pre-clinical (animal) results at a Vision and Opthamology conference in Florida scheduled immediately before ASCO, in May, I think. Not sure of the date.
Also, some Phase I dosing data on AG2034 will be released at this meeting.
From the web site: Agouron has recently initiated a drug discovery program whose objective is the design of drugs that block the kdr receptor for VEGF and therefore compromise the ability of tumors to carry out a key process in angiogenesis. This is still in the research stage.
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