PharmaMar, a biotechnology company from Zeltia Group,
announces the initiation of a Phase II multicenter study of Irvalec® in patients with non-
microcitic lung cancer. The study will test the therapy in patients who have undergone
platinum based chemotherapy.
Lung cancer is the main cause of death by cancer. There are different types of the disease.
Each type has its own growth pattern and requires a specific treatment that may include
chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Irvalec®, a new synthetic depsipeptide derived from the PharmaMar Development Program
of marine origin compounds, is a new drug with antiproliferative activity against a wide
range of tumors, including breast, colon, pancreas, lung and prostate. The recruitment of
patients is expected to last 12 months.
In the new Phase II multicenter study, Irvalec® will be administered as an intravenous
infusion for 30 minutes every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint will be progression-free
survival. In the Phase I trials done with Irvalec®, the compound showed an excellent safety
profile.
About Irvalec®
Irvalec® is a new synthetic depsipeptide resulting from PharmaMar's internal investigation for
obtaining derivatives of marine natural compounds. Preliminary in vitro studies identified Irvalec® as
a new antiproliferative drug demonstrating activity against a broad spectrum of tumour types: breast,
colon, pancreas, lung and prostate, among others. Irvalec® has been selected for clinical
development based on its in vivo activity in xenograft human tumors, as well as an acceptable non-
clinical toxicology profile. Irvalec® has pharmacodynamic effects as a regulator of ErbB3 which serves
as the basis to explore their therapeutic potential in combination with inhibitors of ErB TK and with
monoclonal antibodies that bind to the surface receptor
About PharmaMar
PharmaMar is the world-leading biopharmaceutical company of the Zeltia Group, and is committed to
advancing the treatment of cancer through the discovery and development of new marine-derived
medicines. PharmaMar has four novel compounds in clinical development. Yondelis® has received
Authorization for Commercialization from the European Commission for treating advanced soft tissue
sarcoma. Yondelis® is currently being marketed in the European Union for the treatment of soft tissue
sarcomas in adults after failure of standard therapy. Aplidin®, Zalypsis®, and Irvalec® are other
marine-derived new agents in clinical development by PharmaMar, which also has a rich pipeline of
preclinical candidates, and a strong R&D program.
You can find this press release at pharmamar and zeltia
Source:
Fernando Mugarza
PharmaMar