This news release is available in Spanish .
Philadelphia, April 14, 2015: PharmaMar announces that it will present several abstracts at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015, which will take place in April 18-22 in Philadelphia. This year this important cancer forum will highlight the theme "Bringing Cancer Discoveries to Patients", which underlines the important bridge that connects research discoveries and new treatments. PharmaMar abstracts will underscore advances recently made by the Company that have uncovered new targets and therapeutic approaches and how these discoveries can slow down and in some cases block tumor progression in several tumor models.
The studies presented by the Company include the discovery of a new therapeutic target of plitidepsin, the protein eEF1A2. The drug candidate plitidepsin specifically binds to eEF1A2, inducing tumor cell killing in solid and hematological cancers. In addition, combination studies of the breakthrough drug molecule PM1183 with either PARP inhibitors or doxorubicin will be presented to highlight the synergistic effect in relevant preclinical models. Finally, a study showing the in vivo efficacy for the new ADC MI130004 in breast tumor models overexpressing HER-2 will be presented, which strongly suggest the clinical potential of this product candidate.
"Our priority remains improving lives and treatment outcomes for patients with cancer. We are committed to the discovery of new targets and innovative therapeutic options." says Carmen Cuevas, PhD, R&D Director at PharmaMar. "The new data we are presenting on PM1183 demonstrate that we are identifying new mechanisms of action."
Studies to be presented at AACR 2015
PM1183
The anticancer therapy PM1183 selectively targets activated transcription, as previously shown at the EORTC-NCI AACR 2014 (abstract #47) and blocks the DNA repair pathway called nucleotide excision repair (NER), eventually leading to an accumulation of DNA errors and cell death.
Plitidepsin (Aplidin®)
The phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy of plitidepsin with dexamethasone in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma is close to completion and the drug is currently being investigated in the clinic in a subtype of T-cell lymphoma.
ADC MI130004
A recent breakthrough of the Company is the development of a new ADC, MI130004, which combines the HER2-targeting monoclonal antibody trastuzumab with the marine-derived anticancer agent PM050489.
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About PharmaMar
PharmaMar is a world leader in the discovery and development of marine-based anticancer drugs with a rich pipeline of drug candidates and a strong R&D program. PharmaMar, which is headquartered in Madrid, is a subsidiary of Zeltia, S.A., which has been listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange since 1963 (MSE: ZEL) and on Spain's Electronic Market since 1998. Currently the most advanced clinical programs are PM1183, a novel anticancer agent that prevents tumor progression through different mechanisms of action, including DNA binding to block its replication, inhibition of activated transcription and proteins involved in DNA repair, and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment; and plitidepsin, an anticancer drug that targets eEF1A2 leading to increase in apoptotic death. PM1183 is currently in late-stage development for small-cell lung cancer, BRCA1/2-mutated breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Plitidepsin is in a phase 3 trial with dexamethasone for refractory multiple myelomaand in a phase 1 study in triple combination with bortezomib for this same indication.
Disclaimer
This document is a press release, not a prospectus. This document does not constitute or form part of an offering or invitation to sell or a solicitation to purchase, offer or subscribe shares of the company. Moreover, no reliance should be placed upon this document for any investment decision or contract and it does not constitute a recommendation of any type with regard to the shares of the company.
Contact:
PharmaMar Media Relations:
Carolina Pola
Phone: +34 91 846 6108
Mobile: +34 608 93 36 77
Zeltia Investor Relations:
Phone: +34 914444500