Gemin initiates Phase I/II leukaemia trial

Gemin X Biotechnologies from Montreal, Canada, has initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with GX15-070, a novel, targeted cancer treatment that is designed to induce apoptosis by inhibiting the Bcl-2 family of proteins. The drug has also been granted orphan drug status by the FDA.

Dan Giampuzzi, president and ceo of Gemin X, said: 'Orphan drug status will allow us to efficiently conduct further clinical studies with GX15-070 and, pending positive results, to provide this new targeted cancer treatment to patients as quickly as possible.'

'GX15-070 is the first small molecule in human trials that targets Bcl-2 proteins, which are involved in many types of cancers,' explained Dr Thomas Kipps, head of the CLL Research Consortium. 'In particular, some members of the Bcl-2 family are thought to play a significant role in the etiology of CLL, making this disease a logical choice as a development indication. I look forward to evaluating the compound's potential in this patient group.'

GX15-070 is designed to restore apoptosis, the natural process of cell death that is often inhibited in cancer cells. Over-expression of the Bcl-2 protein family inhibits apoptosis and has been observed in a wide range of cancers, including those of the lymph, breast, lung, prostate and colon.

GX15-070 is specifically designed to inhibit all the anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 protein family, thus inducing apoptosis in cancer cells without damaging normal cells. GX15-070 is currently being studied in a separate Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of various solid tumour cancers.