Thursday, February 19, 2009

Aveo launches new study of cancer-fighting compound

By Mass High Tech Staff

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Cancer-focused biotech company Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc. says that it has begun a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of the use of its compound AV-951 with the drug paclitaxel in treating breast cancer.

This is the third cancer indication Cambridge-based Aveo is exploring for the potential combined use of AV-951 with targeted drugs and/or chemotherapeutic regimens.

Aveo launched the Phase 1b portion of the study at unnamed cancer institutions in the United States and European Union to evaluate the combined daily dose of escalating, sequential doses of oral AV-951 with standard weekly intravenous use of paclitaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer.

The primary outcomes of the study are determining safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in approximately 20 patients with progressive disease, according to officials.

Last September, Aveo began a trial of another similar compound AV-299. The trial was developed in partnership with drug giant Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE: SGP). Schering-Plough is obligated, under the terms of their agreement, to pay Aveo a $3 million milestone payment for beginning human studies with the drug.