The second quarter of next year looks likely to be a busy time for the research team at Evgen Pharma PLC (AIM:EVG).
The company’s half-year results statement has confirmed that a phase Ib/II study of the use of SFX-01 in glioblastoma is likely to go ahead in the period.
Glioblastoma is a form of brain tumour with a very poor prognosis. The group has orphan drug designation in the US for malignant glioma, affording the programme additional data protection and other incentives.
Also, in the April-June 2022 period, a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessment will be made of the company’s lead asset to better understand how it behaves in the body.
This and other programmes will build on the significant body of work carried out by Evgen and outlined in its interim results statement.
As well as preparations for the glioblastoma trial planned for next year, the group performed some "encouraging" pre-clinical work that supports SFX-01 use in metastatic breast cancer for women where CDK4/6 inhibitor drugs stop working.
Lab-based data have also pointed to the potential of Evgen’s lead asset in juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia.
"The last six months have yielded further positive preclinical data to support the potential of SFX-01 in a number of cancers and an orphan drug designation in the USA for malignant glioma,” said chief executive Dr Huw Jones.
“With the scale-up and refinement of the SFX-01 production process and design of the phase I and phase II clinical trials running in parallel, we look forward to commencing further important clinical programmes in the first half of 2022.
“With our strengthened senior management team that brings further expertise, we look forward to a successful second half of the year and I would like to extend my thanks to our shareholders for their continued support."
Evegen’s results showed the company made a £1.5mln post-tax loss after investing heavily in R&D for the six months ended September 30. Crucially, as of that date, it had £10.1mln in cash to fund the work planned.