Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Infinity’s anti-cancer drug moves into Phase 1 trials

By Mass High Tech Staff

Cambridge-based Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc. has begun Phase 1 clinical trials of its IPI-493 oral anti-cancer agent to treat patients with advanced solid tumors.

The oral drug is part of the company’s heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) portfolio of inhibitors, which ultimately kill cancer-causing cells.

Inifinity said its goal is to determine safety issues with IPI-493 and find a successful dose and schedule. Measurements will be made with computed tomography imaging and disease specific markers.

In addition to the Phase 1 trial, the company is working on a Phase 1 study of docetaxel and a Phase 2 study of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

A Phase 1/2 clinical trial of a development-stage anti-cancer agent and Hsp90 inhibitor is being conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The study, which marks the second solid tumor indication in which the agent — known as IPI-504 — is being tested, will evaluate IPI-504 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Infinity was founded in 2001. In September 2006, the company completed its acquisition of Discovery Partners International Inc., a publicly traded company based in San Diego. Following that deal, reportedly worth about $100 million, Infinity became publicly traded. In 2007, it reported a net loss of $17 million on an annual revenue of $24.5 million.