BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2007--Array BioPharma Inc.
(NASDAQ: ARRY) has initiated dosing cancer patients in a Phase 1
clinical trial with ARRY-520, a targeted small molecule anticancer
drug. ARRY-520 is a potent Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP) inhibitor
that caused marked tumor regression in preclinical models of human
cancer at tolerated doses, often leading to complete, durable
responses.
The Phase 1 clinical trial is being conducted at academic medical
centers in the United States. The open-label, dose-escalation trial is
designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of
ARRY-520 following intravenous administration to patients with
advanced cancer. In addition, the trial will examine indicators of
therapeutic activity in these patients.
"We are pleased that ARRY-520 has advanced to the stage of treated
cancer patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial," said Kevin Koch, Ph.D.,
President and Chief Scientific Officer. "We are looking forward to
continued progress on ARRY-520, as well as our other nine development
programs, during 2007."
About ARRY-520 / KSP Inhibitor for Cancer
Current cancer therapies include taxanes and vinca alkaloids,
agents which inhibit tumor growth by preventing mitotic spindle
formation and cell division. ARRY-520 inhibits kinesin spindle protein
(KSP), a protein that plays an essential role in mitotic spindle
formation, with subnanomolar potency in both enzymatic and cellular
assays. Unlike taxanes and vinca alkaloids, KSP inhibitors do not
demonstrate certain side effects such as peripheral neuropathy because
the KSP protein is not expressed in non-proliferating nerve cells.
In vivo, ARRY-520 caused marked tumor regression in preclinical
models of human cancer at tolerated doses, often leading to complete,
durable responses. In studies comparing the most clinically advanced
competitor compound and standard of care agents like taxanes and vinca
alkaloids, ARRY-520 has shown superior efficacy in multiple
preclinical models.
About Array BioPharma:
Array BioPharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small
molecule drugs to treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases.
Our proprietary drug development pipeline is focused on the treatment
of cancer and inflammatory disease and includes clinical candidates
that are designed to regulate therapeutically important protein
targets. In addition, leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies collaborate with Array to discover and develop drug
candidates across a broad range of therapeutic areas. For more
information on Array, please go to www.arraybiopharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements about the progress of our clinical development of
ARRY-520. These statements involve significant risks and
uncertainties, including those discussed in our annual report filed on
form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2006, our quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and in other reports
filed by Array with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because
these statements reflect our current expectations concerning future
events, our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many
factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to
continue to fund and successfully progress internal research efforts
and to create effective, commercially viable drugs, our ability to
achieve and maintain profitability, the extent to which the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are willing to in-license
drug candidates for their product pipelines and to collaborate with
and fund third parties on their drug discovery activities, our ability
to out-license our proprietary candidates on favorable terms, risks
associated with our dependence on our collaborators for the clinical
development and commercialization of our out-licensed drug candidates,
the ability of our collaborators and of Array to meet objectives tied
to milestones and royalties, and our ability to attract and retain
experienced scientists and management. We are providing this
information as of May 3, 2007. We undertake no duty to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or
circumstances after the date of such statements or of anticipated or
unanticipated events that alter any assumptions underlying such
statements.
CONTACT: Array BioPharma Inc.
Tricia Haugeto, 303-386-1193
thaugeto@arraybiopharma.com
SOURCE: Array BioPharma Inc.
