Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Synta starts trials of new anti-cancer drug

By Marc Songini

Troubled biopharmaceutical company Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. has begun a Phase 1/2 clinical study using its STA-9090 drug candidate.

Lexington-based Synta (Nasdaq: SNTA) reports that STA-9090 is a synthetic small molecule that inhibits heat shock protein (Hsp90). Because of its critical role in maintaining the function of cancer-promoting proteins, Hsp90 is a potential target for drug treatment, claimed Synta.

In a statement, James Barsoum, Synta’s senior vice president of research said the company and its collaborators have been encouraged by results both from the preclinical data and the ongoing Phase 1 trials in solid tumor cancers. In preclinical models, they have seen activity in cancers that are resistant to existing kinase inhibitors.

Additional trials for STA-9090 for other indications are planned for later this year.

Last month, citing patient safety concerns, Synta announced it was ending the Phase 3 study of its cancer treatment elesclomol. It also planned to suspend other ongoing studies with elesclomol, including one for prostate cancer, pending further analysis. Additionally, it would be discussing future development of the drug with its partner, GlaxoSmithKline PLC.

Last week, Synta announced it was laying off 90 employees and postponing announcement of its earnings.