SOMERSET, N.J., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alfacell Corporation (Nasdaq: ACEL) today announced that 311 evaluable events (patient deaths) have occurred in the Phase IIIb clinical trial of its lead compound, ONCONASE, for the treatment of patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma. Enrollment in the ONCONASE Phase IIIb clinical trial was closed on Sept. 30, 2007. A total of 428 patients were enrolled in the trial.
In accordance with the statistical plan for the study, the company must wait until 316 evaluable events have occurred to conduct the formal statistical analysis required to complete the final sections of the ONCONASE rolling New Drug Application (NDA). To be considered evaluable, patients must meet all of the eligibility requirements for the study and receive at least one dose of study drug.
About ONCONASE(R)
ONCONASE is a first-in-class product candidate based on Alfacell's proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology. A natural protein isolated from the leopard frog, ONCONASE has been shown in the laboratory and clinic to target cancer cells while sparing normal cells. ONCONASE triggers apoptosis, the natural death of cells, via multiple molecular mechanisms of action.
About Alfacell Corporation
Alfacell Corporation is the first company to advance a biopharmaceutical product candidate that works in a manner similar to RNA interference (RNAi) through late-stage clinical trials. The product candidate, ONCONASE, is an RNase that overcomes the challenges of targeting RNA for therapeutic purposes while enabling the development of a new class of targeted therapies for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In addition to an ongoing Phase IIIb study in malignant mesothelioma, Alfacell is conducting a Phase I/II trial of ONCONASE in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors. For more information, visit www.alfacell.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward- looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, uncertainties involved in transitioning from concept to product, uncertainties involving the ability of the company to finance research and development activities, potential challenges to or violations of patents, uncertainties regarding the outcome of clinical trials, the company's ability to secure necessary approvals from regulatory agencies, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks discussed in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
SOURCE Alfacell Corporation
