Syntara advances multinational study targeting rare bone marrow cancer myelofibrosis
Last updated: 03:42 14 Feb 2024 GMT, First published: 02:13 08 Dec 2023 GMT
Snapshot
- Syntara adds new blood cancer indication to SNT-5505 development plan following government grant
- Pharmaxis’ treatment to prevent wound and burns scars clears phase1 trial
- Syntara to start Phase 2 study targeting MDS
About the company
Syntara Ltd is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on the development of novel therapeutics aimed at correcting extracellular matrix (ECM) dysfunction.
This will lead to positive outcomes in a range of diseases with high unmet need, including haematological malignancies such as myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic fibrosis (including skin scarring, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, NASH and cardiac fibrosis) and neuroinflammation.
How it is doing
Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT) will undertake a new Phase 2 trial evaluating the combination treatment of SNT-5505 and chemotherapy in patients with low and intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of blood cancer which affect blood cell production in bone marrow.
The trial will begin later this year, headed by the University of Newcastle’s Associate Professor Anoop Enjeti under the clinical framework of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG).
The ALLG is the leading national investigator in blood cancer trials, having conducted more than 160 studies.
Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT), formerly known as Pharmaxis, has received firm commitments to raise about $10 million via a two-tranche placement at $0.022 per share.
In addition, the company will also offer a share purchase plan (SPP) of about A$2 million on the same terms as the placement, providing all eligible shareholders the opportunity to participate in the transaction.
Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT, OTC:PMXSF), formerly Pharmaxis Ltd, has dosed the first patient in a phase two clinical trial assessing its pan-LOX inhibitor SNT-5505 in combination with kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib in patients with bone marrow cancer myelofibrosis.
The first phase of trials demonstrated an “excellent safety profile and encouraging signs of efficacy when used in patients who had failed on current standard of care.”
Insight: Pharmaxis’ treatment to prevent wound and burns scars clears phase1 trial
Pharmaxis Ltd's novel topical drug treatment (PXS‐6302) for scarring has cleared the phase 1 clinical trials and will now advance to the next stage of development in patients.
According to the company, a study conducted on healthy volunteers led by renowned surgeon Professor Fiona Wood has revealed that its drug candidate PXS‐6302 has demonstrated good tolerability and full inhibition of the enzymes being targeted to prevent scarring.
What management says
Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT) CEO Gary Phillips joins Proactive’s Jonathan Jackson to share insights on the company's expansion of its lead drug, SNT-5505, into new medical indications, including a promising Phase 2 study targeting myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Phillips highlighted the significance of SNT-5505 in addressing MDS, a complex condition, underscoring the drug's potential impact on patient care. The company is collaborating with several partners in a strategic move that fosters local partnerships to advance the research. From a commercial standpoint, this development represents a pivotal advancement for Syntara, as it embarks on its fourth concurrent Phase 2 study, balancing the demands of cash flow and timelines effectively. Looking ahead, Phillips hinted at an ambitious roadmap for Syntara, signalling a period of intense activity and innovation as the company continues to explore the therapeutic potential of SNT-5505 and its impact on treating challenging medical conditions.