Cavion and Yale University Announce First Patient Enrolled in Phase 1b Clinical Trial in Brain Cancer
Tags:
Phase 1
Oncology
Proof of Concept T-type Calcium Channel Drug Mibefradil to be Tested as
Radiosensitizer
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cavion LLC, a pharmaceutical company developing T-type calcium channel inhibitors for the treatment of solid tumors and neuropathic pain, announced today that the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase 1b clinical trial with Yale University using the company’s T-type calcium channel drug mibefradil. The trial will introduce a new therapeutic approach to patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
The trial is an open label, dose-escalation study that will assess the safety and determine the maximum tolerated dose of mibefradil dihydrochloride, a repositioned anti-hypertensive T-type calcium channel blocker, combined with hypofractionated radiation therapy in subjects with recurrent GBM.
“We believe that inhibiting the T-type calcium channel is a new and powerful approach to treating brain cancer and other solid tumors. It is exciting that the Yale Cancer Center and Dr. Ranjit Bindra are exploring this new therapy,” said Cavion CEO and President Andrew Krouse.
The study’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Ranjit Bindra, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Therapeutic Radiology and Pathology at Yale, screened over 20,000 compounds looking for a potential radiosensitizer that could be given in combination with radiotherapy in order to block non-homologous end joining, a process in DNA repair that allows for tumors to develop resistance to treatment. Dr. Bindra’s lab found that Cavion’s mibefradil was effective in blocking double-strand DNA repair.
“It’s a highly translational study,” said Dr. Bindra. “We are quite excited, and because of the collaborative nature of Yale, the entire team – neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, pathologists and radiation oncologists – are energized and eager to get involved.”
About Cavion LLC
Cavion LLC, founded as Tau Therapeutics LLC, is a privately held clinical stage platform pharmaceutical company creating therapies engaging the T-type calcium channel (Cav3) for the treatment of neurologic and oncologic diseases. The T-type calcium channel is an emerging molecular target for cancer and pain.
Cavion is conducting a multi-site NCI Adult Brain Tumor Consortium-sponsored Phase 1b clinical trial of the T-type calcium channel blocker mibefradil administered with temozolomide in brain cancer and a Yale University-sponsored Phase 1 trial of mibefradil combined with hypofractionated radiation therapy.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and includes statements that are not historical facts. Actual results could differ significantly from results discussed. Tau Therapeutics LLC disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Contacts
Cavion LLCAndrew Krouse, 434-974-6969krouse@cavionpharma.comwww.cavionpharma.com
Cavion LLCAndrew Krouse, 434-974-6969krouse@cavionpharma.comwww.cavionpharma.com
