- Apaziquone is in Pivotal Registrational Trials in the United States; NDA Expected to be Filed in 2012
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in oncology, announced today that the first patient has been dosed in Japan in a Nippon Kayaku sponsored Phase 1 study of apaziquone in bladder cancer. The Phase 1 study is required by the local regulatory authorities and is designed to enroll up to 6 patients and determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of an immediate instillation of apaziquone in the bladder following transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), followed by 6 weekly instillations of apaziquone in the bladder, starting week 4.
“We are excited that Nippon Kayaku has begun required studies of apaziquone in Japan, a major market for oncology drugs,” said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, MD, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.
In December 2009, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals licensed to Nippon Kayaku exclusive rights to apaziquone for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in Asia, including Japan and China, for an upfront licensing fee of $15 million, plus up to $136 million in milestones, and royalties. Nippon Kayaku will conduct the apaziquone clinical trials pursuant to a development plan. Nippon Kayaku will be responsible for all expenses relating to the development and commercialization of apaziquone in the Nippon Kayaku territory.
About Apaziquone
Apaziquone is a drug currently being investigated for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Apaziquone, an anti-cancer agent that becomes activated by reductase enzymes found in cancer cells, is formulated for administration directly into the urinary bladder. Phase 2 data has confirmed anti-tumor activity in patients with multiple, recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, as evidenced by 31 of 46 patients (67%) showing a complete response after receiving six weekly treatments with 4 mg of apaziquone instilled into the urinary bladder in a marker lesion study. In another Phase 2 study, apaziquone instilled into the bladder following surgery was well tolerated and was not absorbed in any detectable amount from the bladder wall into the bloodstream and therefore, is expected to carry a low risk of systemic toxicity, if any.
About Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.
Nippon Kayaku is a general chemical company focused on IT, health care and safety systems. The Company’s Pharmaceuticals Group maintains extensive original expertise related to research and development, production, sales, and aftermarket investigations of anti-cancer drugs. The Company’s lineup of cancer-fighting drugs and cancer supportive products has reached 28 products. Nippon Kayaku is also strengthening its licensing activities, and is introducing generic products in order to expand its cancer-related business. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.nipponkayaku.co.jp/english/.
About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in oncology. The Company’s strategy is comprised of acquiring, developing and commercializing a broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial products. The Company markets two oncology drugs, FUSILEV and ZEVALIN and has two drugs, apaziquone and belinostat, in late stage development along with a diversified pipeline of novel drug candidates. The Company has assembled an integrated in-house scientific team, including clinical development, medical research, regulatory affairs, biostatistics and data management, formulation development, and has established a commercial infrastructure for the marketing of its drug products. The Company also leverages the expertise of its worldwide partners to assist in the execution of its strategy. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.sppirx.com.
Forward-looking statement – This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements include but are not limited to statements that relate to our business and its future, including certain company milestones, Spectrum's ability to identify, acquire, develop and commercialize a broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial products, leveraging the expertise of partners and employees, around the world to assist us in the execution of our strategy, and any statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of Spectrum or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Risks that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, may not prove safe or effective, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not receive approval from the FDA, and other regulatory agencies in a timely manner or at all, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, if approved, may not be more effective, safer or more cost efficient than competing drugs, the possibility that our efforts to acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates may fail, our lack of revenues, our limited marketing experience, our dependence on third parties for clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution and quality control and other risks that are described in further detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this press release except as required by law.
SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. ®, ZEVALIN®, and FUSILEV® are registered trademarks of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REDEFINING CANCER CARE™ and the Spectrum Pharmaceutical logos are trademarks owned by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
©2011 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CONTACT:
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
Paul Arndt
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
949-788-6700 x216
KEYWORDS: United States Asia Pacific North America California Japan
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Clinical Trials Oncology Pharmaceutical Research Science
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