Intellikine commences INK1117 Phase I dose escalation study in cancer

Oct 12 2011

Intellikine, Inc., a company focused on the discovery and development of innovative, small molecule drugs targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway, announced today that the first patient has been treated in a Phase I dose escalation study of INK1117 in patients with advanced solid malignancies. INK1117, a selective, orally available, small molecule inhibitor of the PI3Kalpha isoform has demonstrated impressive efficacy in several PI3Kalpha mutant-specific preclinical tumor models.

"PI3Kalpha is among the most frequently mutated oncogenes in many cancers, and preclinical studies have revealed important features, which differentiate INK1117 from less selective inhibitors that target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway" said Dr. Josep Tabernero, head of the Medical Oncology Department at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona and a study investigator. "We look forward to exploring INK1117 in cancer patients, particularly those patients whose tumors have a mutation of the PIK3CA gene."

The Phase I study of INK1117 will consist of a dose escalation phase in patients with advanced solid malignancies, followed by expansion cohorts in breast cancer patients as well as patients with other cancers whose tumors are characterized with a mutation of the gene. The PIK3CA gene represents one of the most highly mutated oncogenes in human cancers and is frequently mutated in a broad spectrum of tumors including breast, colon, brain, bladder and lung.

"We are delighted to announce another significant milestone for Intellikine as we advance INK1117 into human clinical testing," said Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., President and CEO of Intellikine. "INK1117 is among the first isoform selective inhibitors of PI3Kalpha, potentially one of the most important drug targets for the treatment of solid tumors. We are encouraged by the support and enthusiasm of our collaborators in the United States and Europe, and we look forward to bringing this new personalized medicine to patients as quickly as possible."