SAN FRANCISCO (Thomson Financial) - GPC Biotech AG said it will continue doing research into its experimental satraplatin cancer drug, which failed key tests last year, after further analysis of the tests showed the treatment may help certain patient groups.
While satraplatin failed to prolong the lives of prostate cancer patients in a Phase III drug trial, further analysis of the results showed that a group of satraplatin-treated patients who had previously received Taxotere chemotherapy had a 'trend toward better survival,' the company said at a conference in San Francisco, according to slides posted on its web site.
Patients who had experienced pain before receiving the drug in the test also tended to have better chances of survival, it added.
The company also said it is currently evaluating ongoing tests of the drug to fight other forms of cancer in Phases I and II.
While one lung cancer indication will progress from Phase I to Phase II, trials regarding some other indications will be stopped, it added.
The company also said it expects a cash position at the end of 2007 of around 60 mln eur, allowing it to continue operations for about two years.
GPC Biotech in November announced it will cut 44 pct of its staff, following setbacks in the development of satraplatin, which is its most advanced cancer drug candidate. ludwig.burger@thomson.com lb/mas/jag COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
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