Astex to present strong data on two candidates at ASH

Cambridge, UK-based Astex Therapeutics says that strong data on two of its clinical-stage compounds, AT7519 and AT9283, will be presented at the 50th American Society of Hematology annual meeting in San Francisco.

Preclinical data on Astex' cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor AT7519 showing significant anti-tumor activity in models of multiple myeloma will be heard in an oral presentation.

The fragment-based drug discovery company said collaborating scientists from the Arizona Cancer Center will also reveal data showing that AT7519 has a cytotoxic effect on tumor samples from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Together, these findings provide the rationale for further clinical evaluation of AT7519 in the treatment of MM and CLL, the firm noted, and suggest it also offers a promising potential treatment strategy for advanced B-cell leukemia and lymphoma. AT7519 has now completed one Phase I trial in patients with solid tumors and is being tested using an alternative dosing schedule in a second Phase I trial.