Panavance Announces Abstract and Poster at ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, Providing an Update on the Status of GP-2250 Clinical Trial in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Phase 1 enrollment to-date exceeds 20 patients with novel metabolic enzyme inhibitor

BERWYN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Panavance Therapeutics Inc. (“Panavance”) announces an abstract and poster at ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, January 20-22, 2022, in San Francisco, “A Phase 1/2 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of GP-2250 in combination with gemcitabine for advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma,” (authors: Dr. Anup Kasi and Dr. José Iglesias, Poster TPS620). The open-label trial for patients with advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer who were previously treated with FOLFIRINOX is evaluating the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of GP-2250 together with gemcitabine.

“To date, we believe our GP-2250 has demonstrated strong effectiveness and safety in extensive preclinical studies, and its early clinical results have been encouraging for its initial indication for pancreatic cancer”

GP-2250 is a broadly active, tumor cell selective, small molecular weight, metabolic enzyme inhibitor with a first-in-class mechanism of action that limits aerobic glycolysis and Krebs cycle by inhibiting GAPDH, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and the tumor promotor NFkB. In preclinical research, it suppresses cancer cells largely by disrupting their energy metabolism—bringing about cancer cell death.

The ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium abstract and poster describe a dose-escalation trial of GP-2250 (NCT03854110) in combination with gemcitabine in the 2nd-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who have progressed on or after FOLFIRINOX in the 1st-line treatment of the disease. The primary endpoints in the trial are the maximum tolerated dose (“MTD”) and recommended Phase 3 dose.

“To date, we believe our GP-2250 has demonstrated strong effectiveness and safety in extensive preclinical studies, and its early clinical results have been encouraging for its initial indication for pancreatic cancer,” said Greg Bosch, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Panavance. “We’re pleased with the progress of our ongoing Phase 1 trial which is currently at the 6^th dose level with more than 20 patients enrolled thus far.”

While Panavance’s initial area of focus is on pancreatic cancer, the company is conducting additional preclinical research in several other tumor types and expects to progress clinical development of GP-2250 for the treatment of other cancers.

Learn more about Panavance and GP-2250 at www.panavance.com.

References and links to websites have been provided for convenience, and the information contained on any such website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this press release. Panavance is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

About Panavance Therapeutics Inc.

Panavance Therapeutics Inc. is a US, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company established in 2021 by Avensis Pharma AG, a subsidiary of Swiss privately held Ed. Geistlich Söhne AG für Chemische Industrie, to advance the development of GP-2250, a novel oncology therapeutic intended to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with cancer. As Panavance pursues a development program to bring GP-2250 to patients, it seeks financial and industry partnerships to accelerate its mission to disrupt the energy metabolism of cancer cells—bringing about cancer cell death and giving patients new hope.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on Panavance’s current expectations and subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including, without limitation, Panavance’s ability to execute its business plan and fund its ongoing business activities as planned, Panavance’s ability to develop and commercialize its product candidates, Panavance’s expectations related to results of clinical trials and studies, and Panavance’s ability to obtain FDA approval of GP-2250. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Panavance undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contacts

Carol Gorman
carol.gorman@panavance.com