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Asana BioSciences to Present Preclinical Data for a Novel Dual Inhibitor of SYK and JAK Family Kinases and a 5T4-Targeted Antibody Drug Conjugate at the AACR Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 18-22, 2015Asana BioSciences, LLC today announced that it will be presenting preclinical data regarding two of its lead molecules at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting being held in Philadelphia, April 18-22, 2015. The presentation details are as follows:
ASN002 is a novel oral inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and Janus kinase (JAK), which is currently in Phase I/II studies in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and solid tumors. These kinases are involved in both cytokine production and signaling and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various types of lymphomas, solid tumors, myeloproliferative and inflammation disorders. Preclinical data with ASN002 demonstrating potent activity in biochemical and cell-based mechanistic assays, as well as anti-proliferative activity in a broad panel of cell lines representing both lymphoma/leukemia and solid tumor types, will be presented. Furthermore, inhibition of tumor growth with ASN002 in multiple animal models of human cancer will be presented. ASN004 is an antibody drug conjugate (ADC (News - Alert)) that selectively and efficiently delivers a cytotoxic agent into tumor cells, resulting in potent, selective anti-proliferative activity. It employs a novel antibody discovered by Asana targeting 5T4 oncofetal antigen and the proprietary Dolaflexin™ ADC platform licensed from Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. The IND-enabling toxicology studies are soon to be initiated with ASN004. Data will be presented from several mouse models of human cancer demonstrating complete tumor regression leading to tumor-free survivors at well-tolerated doses of ASN004. In addition, comparative data versus Kadcyla® and Pfizer's anti-5T4 ADC will be presented. "We are very pleased with the excellent overall progress made at Asana since its inception in May 2014. Two of our lead molecules are in the clinic now and several other molecules have entered or will be entering soon into GLP toxicology studies," said Sandeep Gupta, PhD, Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer at Asana BioSciences. "Based on the preclinical findings for ASN002 and ASN004, we believe that both of these have the potential to be best-in-class molecules." About Asana BioSciences, LLC Asana BioSciences, LLC, an independent member of the Amneal Alliance of Companies, is a research and development company based in Bridgewater, NJ specializing in the discovery and development of new chemical and biological entities. Asana's portfolio consists of multiple early-stage drug discovery and development candidates in a variety of therapeutic areas, including oncology, pain and inflammation, among others. Asana's lead molecule ASN001 is already in Phase I/II clinical studies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02349139?term=asn001&rank=1). For more information, please visit www.asanabiosciences.com. |
