Alchemia to put anti-cancer drug through clinical paces

Alchemia (ASX:ACL) has confirmed it expects to take its first drug candidate, ACL16907, into clinical trials in the first half of 2006.

The compound is one of a new class of angiogenesis inhibitors called somatostatin agonists, and acts by inhibiting the release of growth factors essential for blood vessel growth in tumours.

"Somatostatin agonists have the potential to be relatively non-toxic and can be used to enhance the effects of cytotoxic agents, resulting in more effective, targeted treatment for cancer patients," said Alchemia chief executive Tracie Ramsdale.

ACL16907 has been shown to inhibit the growth of human prostate and lung cancer tumours in animal model trials conducted over the past 12 months.

Ramsdale said the company intends to undertake preclinical toxicology and safety studies required for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and is expecting to conduct preliminary discussions with the FDA in the second quarter of this year.