Novogen finds new anticancer candidates

Novogen (ASX:NRT) has identified two new anticancer candidates after completing screening of its second-generation of super-benzopyrans.

The screening program has singled out two compounds showing particular promise in melanoma and pancreatic cancer.

Novogen’s drug discovery platform involves using proprietary ‘bend’ technology to construct new, complex compounds.

CS-6, the anticancer drug candidate developed from the first generation of compounds, is used as the starting point for compound development. 

CS-6 is in laboratory trials for ovarian cancer as well as brain cancer.

“The identification of two new hit compounds against pancreatic cancer and melanoma nicely complements [CS-6],” said new Novogen CSO Dr David Brown.

“Our task now is to decide which of these two new compounds we will fast-track through to the clinic in parallel with CS-6.”

Novogen’s anticancer development program is focused on products that target both cancer cells and their progenitor cells. In lab tests, CS-6 was both cytotoxic to cancer cells, but also able to wipe out cancer stem cells down to picomolar levels.

Novogen shares were trading 6.06% higher at $0.175 as of around 2 pm on Tuesday.