Patrys myeloma trial to move to final group

Patrys (ASX:PAB) has secured approval to move on to the highest dose level in its phase I/IIa trial of anticancer antibody PAT-SM6 in multiple myeloma.

The independent board monitoring the German trial has given approval for the trial to progress to the fourth and final patient group.

The board made its decision based on the safety data from the third group of three patients in the trial, which received the antibody at dose levels of 3 mg/kg. No significant adverse events were reported.

Recruitment has now commenced for the fourth patient group, Patrys said. This cohort will receive four doses at levels of 6 mg/kg, which is closer to the dose levels of commercially available antibodies.

The open-label multidose escalation trial is being held at the Department of Haematology and Oncology at the University Hospital of Würzburg in Germany. It involves multiresistant multiple myeloma patients who have failed all currently marketed drugs.

Patrys secured approval for the trial in September 2012, and dosing commenced in the fourth quarter.

The company is also trialling PAT-SM6 in melanoma. Lab tests suggest that the antibody can bind to two targets - glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), which is found on the surface of most cancer cells, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Patrys shares were trading unchanged at $0.036 as of around 1 pm on Wednesday.