Cytopia starts Ph II dosing of cancer drug CYT997

Australia's Cytopia has commenced dosing patients in the first of a suite of Phase II clinical studies for its vascular disrupting agent, CYT997. These studies will investigate the activity of this anticancer compound in specific cancer types with high unmet medical need and poor prognoses.

VDAs are a new class of drugs to treat cancer and have potential for blockbuster sales in the treatment of vascularized tumors, says the company, noting that CYT997 has a dual mechanism of action shutting down established blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrients and oxygen and also direct cytotoxic properties. Capable of being delivered orally as well as intravenously, the compound was discovered by Cytopia scientists in 2003 and an Investigational New Drug application was accepted by the US Food and Drug in 2005 to commences Phase I studies.