RX-3117 can overcome cancer drug gemcitabine resistance: Rexahn

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals has been granted a patent for its novel anti-cancer compound to overcome drug resistance, RX-3117 by the European Patent Office.

RX-3117 is a small molecule, new chemical entity (NCE), nucleoside compound that inhibits DNA methyltransferase, a cyclin-dependent kinase, and DNA synthesis.

Potential indications of RX-3117 are solid tumors including colon, lung and pancreatic cancers.

In preclinical trials, RX-3117 has demonstrated its ability to overcome cancer drug resistance in cancer cells, in particular, gemcitabine-resistance in the human lung cancer cell.

The US patent patent offce issued a patent for RX-3117 for composition of matter, synthesis, and methods in 2008.

“In addition to our co-development partnership with Teva, this European patent award further validates the commercial potential of RX-3117,” stated Dr. Chang Ahn, Rexahn’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Rexahn forged a commercialization and development agreement with Teva for RX-3117 in September 2009.

Under the agreement, Rexahn will be eligible to receive additional development, regulatory and sales milestone payments and royalties on net sales worldwide.

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for cancer, CNS disorders and sexual dysfunction.

Rexahn currently has three drug candidates in Phase II clinical trials – Archexin, Serdaxin and Zoraxel plus a robust pipeline of preclinical compounds to treat multiple cancers and CNS disorders.

Archexin is in Phase II trials for treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and pancreatic cancer, and has US FDA orphan drug designations for five cancers (RCC, glioblastoma, and cancers of ovary, stomach and pancreas).

Multiple indications for other solid tumors may be pursued.

Serdaxin is being developed to treat depression and mood disorders, and has proven and well-established safety in humans. Serdaxin Phase IIa trials for treatment of depression have been successfully completed.

Zoraxel is a CNS-based or centrally acting sexual dysfunction drug, and may be the first ED drug to affect all three phases of sexual activity (sexual arousal, erection and release).

Zoraxel Phase IIa trials for treatment of erectile dysfunction are in progress.

Rexahn also operates key R&D programs of nano-medicines, 3D-GOLD, and TIMES drug discovery platforms.