Promising results from ovarian cancer trial: Bionomics

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has reported positive initial results from the phase I portion of a trial of cancer drug candidate BNC105 in women with ovarian cancer.

Ten of the 15 patients in the first stage of the phase I/II trial have achieved a positive response according to the standard criteria.

The trial has also identified that 12 mg/m² is the optimal dose to take into phase II, as this dose induced a pharmacokinetic response within four hours.

Women enrolled in the trial are receiving 12 cycles of treatment, including six cycles of BNC105 in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine, and six of BNC105 alone.

One patient has undergone all 12 cycles and has experienced clinical benefit and remained on BNC105 monotherapy. A further 11 patients have received six cycles of combination therapy and moved on to BNC105 monotherapy.

“This is very positive reinforcement of what we have come to expect for BNC105,” Bionomics CEO Dr Deborah Rathjen said.

The trials are being conducted across six sites, by the Australian and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), the National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre (NH&MRC CTC) and the Hoosier Oncology Group in the US.

Bionomics first announced plans for the trial in August 2011 and secured the required approvals the following year.

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) shares were trading 2.78% lower at $0.70 as of around 12.30 pm on Monday.