CRISM Therapeutics Corporation (AIM:CRTX) shares rose in Tuesday morning's early trade after it announced positive preclinical results for its ChemoSeed drug delivery platform in prostate cancer.
Sustained administration of docetaxel using the platform resulted in 72% cancer cell death compared to 65% with standard intermittent dosing.
The company also reported a lower required dose to inhibit cell growth using ChemoSeed, with sustained release achieving an IC50 of 3.5nM versus 9.8nM for conventional treatment.
The platform maintained reduced cancer cell counts for 12 days, outperforming intermittent delivery, where regrowth began by day nine.
Chief executive Andrew Webb called it "a major step forward" in improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
"The data clearly suggest that delivering chemotherapy locally and continuously, rather than intermittently and systemically, could provide a much-needed improvement in therapeutic efficacy," he said.
Webb added: "We welcome discussions with potential partners and collaborators as we build momentum towards first-in-human clinical trials."
In London, the share traded up as high as 14p in early exchanges before pulling back, and at 11.12p was up just 1% valuing the small-cap at just over £5 million.