Enrollment begins in Repligen's RG1068 pilot study to improve detection, staging of pancreatic cancer

Jul 22 2011

Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ: RGEN) today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in a pilot study to evaluate the ability of RG1068 to improve detection and characterization of pancreatic cancer in combination with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). In addition, this study will evaluate which imaging technique is optimal for pancreatic tumor detection, staging and evaluation for surgery. This study will enroll up to 40 patients with a known or suspected pancreatic mass and the presence of a tumor will be confirmed by either surgery or biopsy. Early detection of pancreatic cancer will increase the identification of patients who are candidates for surgery and may improve patient outcomes. This is an investigator-sponsored study lead by Pablo R. Ros, M.D., Chairman, Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland Ohio, affiliated with Case Western University.

"Accurate and early tumor detection and staging are fundamental for treating patients with pancreatic cancer," stated Pablo R. Ros, M.D., the principal investigator of the study. "We are excited about this prospective study we have started since if successful, RG1068 has the potential to improve our ability to detect and correctly stage pancreatic tumors by CT and MRI scans and may lead to improved patient outcomes."

RG1068, a synthetic version of the hormone secretin, is known to both stimulate the secretion of pancreatic fluid into the pancreatic ducts and to increase blood flow to the tissues of the pancreas. Pancreatic tumors have minimal blood flow and the addition of RG1068 to standard contrast-enhanced imaging techniques which are currently ineffective in resolving early disease may enable the tumor to become more visible. In general, tumors that are less than 3 centimeters are amenable to surgical removal, the only viable form of treatment. Optimal triage and planning for surgery requires the detection of the tumor, evaluation of its size, and relationship to major blood vessels, lymph nodes and presence of metastases.

"Patient enrollment in this study is an important milestone for RG1068 as there is a clear medical need for improved detection and characterization of pancreatic cancer," stated Walter C. Herlihy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Repligen Corporation. "If successful, this would be a significant market opportunity for RG1068."

Source: Repligen Corporation