ValiRx PLC (LON:VAL) said the initial feedback from a phase I/II study of VAL201 showed the treatment had a “clear impact on patients with prostate cancer”.
The drug developer was at pains to stress this was only a very preliminary inference from the data measuring prostate-specific antigens and supported by tumour imaging.
ValiRx went on to confirm VAL201 was safe, with a “high degree of tolerability”.
According to a study by Bristol University, prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease in men in the UK. Worldwide, meanwhile, there were an estimated 1.3mln new cases last year.
"I look forward to regulatory approval of the trial data being speedily reached and the opportunity of potentially demonstrating that VAL201 can address this widespread and often fatal disease in men," said ValiRx chief executive, Dr Satu Vanikka.
The results, along with a full statistical and scientific analysis, will be submitted to the drug regulator after which they will be made publicly available, the company said. No timeline was given.
In the meantime, the preliminary observations are expected to be presented at cancer conferences.