Myriad begins Ph II Azixa trial

US drugmaker EpiCept says that licensee Myriad genetics has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of the anticancer agent Azixa (MPC-6827) in the treatment of patients suffering non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The drug, which is a vascular disrupting agent, will be examined in terms of both safety and its effect on overall survival.

Myriad is responsible for the development and commercialization of Azixa, and several other candidate compounds, under the 2003 licensing agreement between the the two firms (Marketletters passim). EpiCept, which will be paid a fee on the initiation of patient dosing in subsequent Phase III trials, is set to receive further research milestones, royalty payments on sales and a portion of any sublicensing fees accrued by Myriad. Specific financial terms were not provided.