On May 3, 2011 Advanced Cancer Therapeutics (ACT), a privately held company dedicated to bringing new anti-cancer therapies to market, reported that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% rights to AS1411 from Antisoma plc, a biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of cancer (Press release, Antisoma, MAY 3, 2011, View Source [SID1234532622]).

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AS1411, now to be renamed ACT-GRO-777, is the first DNA aptamer developed as an anti-cancer agent that has shown activity against a range of solid and blood cancer lines; positive results were obtained in acute myeloid leukemia and renal carcinoma Phase I and II clinical trials combined with an excellent safety profile.

"Based on the positive results seen in early stage clinical trials both in terms of anti-cancer activity and demonstrated safety in more than 150 patients, we are excited to acquire this drug from Antisoma and believe it could have utility in a variety of cancers types," said Randall Riggs, President & CEO of ACT. "We intend to work closely with Dr. Don Miller at the Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY, to evaluate new potential indications or uses for ACT-GRO-777, including neuroblastoma in children, and believe it will be a strong addition to our preclinical pipeline."

ACT-GRO-777 is believed to bind specifically to a protein called nucleolin, which is found on the surface of many cancer cells. Once bound, the AS1411 aptamer is taken into the cancer cell, where it leads to cancer cell death. Louisville-based Aptamera, co-founded by Dr. Miller, originally sold this novel aptamer drug to Antisoma in 2005.