On July 25, 2017 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (NASDAQ: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a preclinical pharmaceutical company focused on the development of anti-cancer drug candidates, some of which are based on license agreements with The University of Texas System on behalf of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, reported it has agreed to provide support to help accelerate the start of a physician-sponsored Investigational New Drug (IND) application to study the Company’s drug candidate WP1066 for the treatment of adult glioblastoma (brain tumors) (Press release, Moleculin, JUL 25, 2017, View Source [SID1234519871]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! Dr. Robert Shepard, Moleculin’s Chief Medical Officer added: "We have never seen a drug like WP1066 that appears capable in vitro of both stimulating a natural immune response and directly killing tumor cells to block tumor progression. There continues to be a serious unmet need for the treatment of glioblastomas, the most aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer, which is why we are working so hard and are excited to get WP1066 into the clinic."
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A recent Facebook post by MD Anderson Brain and Spine expanded: "The drug, known as WP1066, is modeled after a natural compound that has certain tumor-fighting properties. WP1066 amplifies these properties to potent levels, and it can cross the blood-brain barrier. WP1066 belongs to a class of drugs known as STAT3 inhibitors; they prevent tumors from using the STAT3 pathway to evade the immune system. WP1066 can also induce tumor cell death. It’s effective against human glioblastoma in preclinical models. The next step is to see if this unique drug is effective when given to glioblastoma patients." (link to post: www.facebook.com/MDAndersonBrainandSpine/photos/a.293040624101698.69475.221408934598201/1603466399725774/)
An IND application sponsored by an MD Anderson physician is currently on clinical hold because FDA has requested additional chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC) data, among other things. The Company also announced on June 26, 2017 its agreement to support research at the Mayo Clinic on the potential for WP1066 to treat pediatric brain tumors.
"By providing additional guidance and data, we think we can help accelerate the ability of the physician investigator to respond to FDA’s requests in a way that will allow the study to begin," commented Walter Klemp, CEO of Moleculin, "which we believe could position WP1066 for a brain tumor trial this year."