On February 20, 2025 Oxcia reported that the FDA (the United States Food and Drug Administration ) has granted ODD (orphan drug designation) to OXC-101 as a potential treatment option for patients with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) (Press release, Oxcia, FEB 20, 2025, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oxc-101-has-been-granted-odd-status-by-the-fda-in-aml [SID1234650416]).
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OXC-101 is Oxcia’s lead clinical candidate, a first-in class mitotic MTH1 inhibitor with a unique dual mechanism of action. In short, OXC-101, fights cancer by taking advantage of one of the Achilles heels of cancer cells – the high endogenous oxidative stress and DNA damage. In preclinical studies, OXC-101 significantly prolongs survival and reduces tumor growth in AML disease models.
Clinical Phase 1 data in advanced hematological cancer patients is reassuring. Oxcia is now performing an expansion trial, a phase 1/2 study in a subpopulation (relapsed/recurrent AML), in combination with one of the standard treatments, idarubicin. The aim is to confirm the preliminary efficacy previously shown in AML to support further clinical development in a pivotal phase 2 trial that can be the base for regulatory fast-track approval.
Oxcia AB was in the beginning of 2023 awarded a grant of 3 million SEK by Swelife and Medtech4Health for this study. To ensure the recruitment of patients with this rare AML disease in a cost- and time-efficient manner, we are now adding additional clinical sites. Rigshospitalet in Denmark will be enrolled shortly. In addition, Bulgaria and Serbia will be added during 2025.
"We are delighted with the FDA’s decision to grant orphan drug designation to OXC-101 for AML. This is a significant milestone and underscores the significant unmet need for novel medicines and the unique approach by OXC-101. We believe OXC-101 holds potential to greatly improve treatment for patients who suffer from AML", says Ulrika Warpman Berglund, Oxcia’s CEO. We are presently preparing an application for ODD also with EMA (European Medicines Agency). Early engagement with the FDA and EMA is pivotal.
In the study we are also integrating precision medicine screening to help identify responders/non-responders. Precision medicine screening is a novel way of personalizing treatment for patients and thus identifying the best treatment strategy for individuals reducing unsuccessful treatments with unnecessary suffering and lack of effect.
Briefly about AML
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer associated with infection, anemia and bleeding. It is the most common acute leukemia in adults, accounting for more than 80% of the cases. In 2021, there were 162,200 incident cases of AML worldwide, and the number is forecasted to increase to 169,000 incident cases by 2027 (Datamonitor). Even though the overall survival rate among AML patients has been increasing in the past decades, it remains poor with an overall 5-year survival rate of 20% in selected subpopulations.
AML is a very heterogenous disease, which explains why classical intensive chemotherapy, constituting of a cytarabine /anthracycline backbone, remains the standard of care (SoC). The medical need is high. Although we have seen recent approvals for biomarker led AML subsets, the majority of patients are still in need of well-tolerated and effective novel therapies.
Briefly about Orphan Drug Designation
The FDA and EMA grant orphan status to products intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent a life-threatening rare disease or condition that affects fewer than five in 10,000 people in Europe, or under 200,000 people in the US, and with either no currently approved method of diagnosis, prevention, or treatment, or with significant benefit to those affected by the disease. Orphan drug designation provides certain benefits, including the potential for extensive marketing exclusivity following regulatory approval, reduction in regulatory fees and, in the case of EU, a centralized approval process.