Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) announces that the planned interim analysis of data from the ATTRACT-1 phase III trial of ASA404 in previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has shown that continuation of the trial would be futile, as there is little or no prospect of demonstrating a survival benefit with ASA404 in this setting. The ATTRACT-1 trial will therefore be halted.

No new or unexpected serious adverse effects of ASA404 have been identified by the trial's Data Monitoring Committee.

Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said: "We are disappointed by the outcome of the ATTRACT-1 study, especially given the very encouraging phase II data reported in the same setting. We had hoped that this trial would show that use of ASA404 could improve treatment for patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer. We are now focused on delivering phase III results for our other late-stage product, AS1413."

Antisoma had unaudited cash and short-term investments of GBP 45.1 million at the end of February 2010.

About the ATTRACT-1 study in NSCLC

ATTRACT-1 was a pivotal study of ASA404 in previously untreated, advanced NSCLC. Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either ASA404 plus chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel) or a placebo plus chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel) as a control.

About ASA404

ASA404 (vadimezan, formerly known as DMXAA and AS1404) is a small-molecule Tumour-Vascular Disrupting Agent (Tumour-VDA) which targets the blood vessels that nourish tumours. The drug wasdiscovered by Professors Bruce Baguley and William Denny and their teams at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand. It was in-licensed by Antisoma from Cancer Research Ventures Limited (now Cancer Research Technology), the development and commercialisation company of the Cancer Research Campaign (now Cancer Research UK), in 2001. Worldwide rights to the drug were licensed to Novartis AG in April 2007.

Source
Antisoma