Access Pharmaceuticals has treated the first patient in its first company-sponsored phase II clinical study of ProLindac, a novel DACH platinum-polymer drug.

Ovarian cancer patients that have relapsed after first line platinum therapy are to be examined during the European trial.

The first of around 40 patients was dosed with the medication in France.

"In our phase I trial, there were two responses in ovarian patients who had relapsed after prior cis- or carboplatin therapy. Given these promising early results for ProLindac, we are now eager to see what the response rate will be in a larger study at a phase II dose," said Rosemary Mazanet, chief executive of Access.

"Since the phase II is open-label in design, the company anticipates being able to look at interim results before the end of this year."

A partial response was also observed in a melanoma patient, as well as the ovarian cancer patients.

The company is currently working to develop additional clinical trial plans and anticipates initiating more clinical trials within the next twelve months.

Colorectal and lung cancers are likely targets of future trials, in which ProLindac could be used in combination with current treatment regimens, with particular focus on those cancers indicated for oxaliplatin, the currently approved DACH platinum.

Another ongoing ProLindac clinical study taking place in California is investigating whether or not the platinum compound can deliver more platinum to tumours than oxaliplatin.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd