S*BIO Pte Ltd announced that data from Phase 1/2 studies for its novel JAK2 inhibitor SB1518 indicates clinical efficacy and good tolerability for the treatment of patients with symptomatic myelofibrosis (MF) and enlarged spleens. SB1518 was also well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. Results were presented at the 52nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Fla.
“SB1518 showed promising clinical activity with reductions in both splenomegaly and MF-associated symptoms in patients with symptomatic MF and baseline splenomegaly,” said Srdan Verstovsek, M.D., principal investigator at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. “Specifically, 17 of 30 patients, or 57 percent, treated with SB1518 had a 25 percent or greater reduction in spleen volume by MRI. The therapy did not result in appreciable myelosuppression, a side effect typically seen with this class of drugs. Trial results support further development of SB1518 as an effective and safe treatment of symptomatic myelofibrosis.”
Anas Younes, M.D., principal investigator at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, said, “Data also show that targeting the JAK2 pathway has therapeutic value in patients with relapsed lymphoma. Clinical benefit was observed in several lymphoma subtypes, including partial responses. SB1518 was well tolerated. Additional clinical studies may further support SB1518’s efficacy and safety in the treatment of selected lymphomas.”
Dr. Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of S*BIO, said, “There is a significant unmet medical need for the treatment of symptomatic MF patients with splenomegaly, especially those with moderate to severe thrombocytopenia. SB1518 can be used to treat symptomatic MF patients and it is potentially the only effective treatment for MF patients who have thrombocytopenia. Our novel JAK2 inhibitor is conveniently administered orally once daily and does not cause myelosuppression and gastrointestinal side effects are readily manageable. We are moving forward with additional testing of SB1518 to demonstrate its potential to treat MF and other disorders.”
Date: December 6, 2010
Source: S*BIO Pte Ltd
