Patrys cleared to escalate dose in myeloma trial

Patrys (ASX:PAB) has received the all-clear to step up the dose levels in phase I/IIa trial of anticancer antibody PAT-SM6 in multiple myeloma.

The safety board monitoring the dose escalation study has given approval to progress the trial, based on the safety data from the second group of patients.

The three patients in the second dosing group each received four doses of PAT-SM6 at a dose level of 1 mg/kg. Dosing for this group concluded earlier this month. No significant adverse events were reported.

As a result, Patrys has started recruiting a third group of three patients, each of which will receive four doses at 3 mg/kg.

The trial design calls for the recruitment of 12 patients in four dosing groups. If a patient shows a partial response, an additional two doses of PAT-SM6 will be offered.

Last month, Patrys announced the results of lab studies suggesting that PAT-SM6 is synergistic with other multiple myeloma drugs.

Separate research from Patrys, the University of Melbourne and the Bio21 Institute, published this month, shows that the antibody binds to two different cancer targets.

Besides multiple myeloma, Patrys is also trialling PAT-SM6 in melanoma.

Patrys shares were trading 3.23% lower at $0.03 as of around 12.30 pm on Wednesday.