Reata gets Orphan Status for AIM candidate

Reata Pharmaceuticals, a US company focused on translating innovative science into breakthrough medicines for intractable diseases, has been granted Orphan Drug designation in the treatment of pancreatic cancer for its RTA 402 by the Food and Drug Administration.

RTA 402 is an orally-available, first-in-class antioxidant inflammation modulator. AIMs work via a novel mechanism that promotes the resolution of inflammation and oxidative stress that underlie many intractable diseases, including cancer and renal/cardiovascular disease. Earlier this year, results from a Phase I trial with RTA 402 were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The drug was shown to be well tolerated; to have single agent anti-cancer activity including multiple Objective Responses; to modulate target biological pathways including Nrf2, NF-kappaB, and STAT3; and to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF and VEGF. The agent is currently in Phase II clinical testing for pancreatic cancer and also chronic kidney disease.