- Company initiates trial of first-in-class oncology molecule and
progresses Aurora A kinase program -
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium: The Takeda
Oncology Company today announced the initiation of a Phase I trial series
of MLN4924, the Company's first-in-class, small molecule inhibitor of the
Millennium-discovered target, the Nedd 8 Activating Enzyme (NAE). MLN4924
advanced to the clinic with the first patient dosed in April 2008. The two
Phase I dose escalation studies aim to assess safety, tolerability,
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects in patients with advanced solid
tumors or with hematological malignancies.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080620/NEF058LOGO-b )
In addition, the Company initiated a Phase I hematologic trial of
MLN8237, the first-in-class, specific Aurora A kinase inhibitor based on
emerging pre-clinical data on the role of Aurora A in lymphomas and other
hematologic tumors. Pre-clinical results also showed substantial activity
in pediatric neuroblastoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Additional
data related to the Aurora A kinase development program are scheduled to be
presented at the 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium in Geneva, Switzerland in
October, 2008. Millennium plans to expand the program into Phase II trials
in late 2008/early 2009.
"The progress of these two Millennium-discovered oncology drugs is
important to our goal of bringing innovative medicines to cancer patients,"
said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Millennium. "The emerging
data associated with MLN4924 and MLN8237 support our vision of solidifying
Takeda as a leader in oncology discovery and development by 2020."
Industry Leadership
In addition to the significant clinical development progress, Joseph B.
Bolen, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Millennium, will chair the Focus on
Cancer track at IBC Life Sciences Drug Discovery & Development of
Innovative Therapeutics Conference and Exhibition. The event will take
place August 4-7, 2008 at the World Trade Center Boston & Seaport Hotel in
Boston. The cancer track presentations will focus on therapies for
Hematology, Lung Cancer, Blood Borne Cancers, and Clinical Biomarkers.
About MLN4924
MLN4924 targets NAE, a novel, Millennium-discovered target in the
ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP). NAE controls a subset of proteins in
the UPP that regulate cancer cell survival.
About MLN8237
MLN8237 is a second-generation small molecule backup of MLN8054, the
Company's first Aurora A kinase inhibitor. Both molecules were discovered
and developed by scientists at Millennium for the treatment of cancer. The
Aurora A kinase is required for cells to proceed through mitosis (cell
division) and therefore, represents an attractive oncology therapeutic
target.
About Millennium
Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, and a leading
biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Mass., markets VELCADE, a
novel cancer product, and has a robust clinical development pipeline of
product candidates. Millennium research, development and commercialization
activities are focused in oncology. By applying its knowledge of the human
genome, understanding of disease mechanisms and industrialized drug
discovery platform, Millennium is developing an exciting pipeline of
innovative product candidates. Additional information about Millennium is
available through its website, http://www.millennium.com.
Editor's Note: This press release is also available under the Media
section of the Company's website at: http://www.millennium.com
Media Contact:
Karen Gobler
(617) 444-1392
karen.gobler@mpi.com
SOURCE Millennium
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Related links:
http://www.millennium.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080620/NEF058LOGO-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Karen Gobler of Millennium, +1-617-444-1392,
karen.gobler@mpi.com
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