Poniard Pharmaceuticals has announced that final efficacy results from its Phase two clinical trial of picoplatin confirmed previous results.

The previous results showed survival benefit in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have failed prior to platinum-containing first-line chemotherapy or who have progressed within six months of first-line therapy.

The average survival rate was 27 weeks which is favourable with the current medical treatments.

Previously, the best supportive care had been shown to have an average overall survival of 14 weeks.

"These final Phase two data show that picoplatin extended survival in patients with small cell lung cancer refractory to, or relapsing within six months of first-line platinum based chemotherapy," said Rovert De Jager, chief medical officer of Poniard Pharmaceuticals.

He said that the third phase would target the commercialisation of picoplatin for us in SCLC by 2010.

"We are committed to developing picoplatin as a new generation chemotherapy agent addressing multiple indications, combinations and formulations," he added.

Source:

Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Final Picoplatin Data from Phase 2 Small Cell Lung Cancer Trial Demonstrating Survival Benefit, 23/04/08
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-23-2008/0004798398&EDATE=

Picoplatin safety data published, 28/01/08
http://www.platinum.matthey.com/media_room/1201539617.html