Efficacy of Pinotbio’s targeted anti-cancer drug confirmed in trial

[Courtesy of Pinotbio Inc.]

Pinotbio Inc., a South Korean developer of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), announced on Tuesday that the efficacy of its targeted anti-cancer drug NTX-301 was confirmed in a Phase 1a clinical trial in the United States targeting blood cancer.

NTX-301 is a targeted anti-cancer drug that inhibits cancer cell growth by inhibiting the activity of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1).

Pinotbio conducted the trial on 12 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), rare forms of leukemia, who had no further treatment options.

Patients were given doses of NTC-301 ranging from 2 milligrams (mg) to 24 mg, with no adverse events, confirming its safety and tolerability, the company said.

Significant clinical data was also observed, the company added, with some patients exhibiting a state comparable to complete remission, where cancer cells were completely eradicated and most of the treated patients surviving for more than eight weeks, with treatment continuing for up to eight months.

“We are committed to the clinical development of NTX-301 so that it can become a viable alternative for elderly patients who have been difficult to treat due to toxicity issues,” said Jung Doo-young, chief executive officer of Pinotbio.