Avacta Group PLC (AIM:AVCT) said the first-in-human Phase I trial of its AVA6000 Pro-doxorubicin cancer therapy will advance to the third dose cohort following a positive review of the safety data from the dosing of the second cohort.
Avacta's Safety Data Monitoring Committee (SDMC) completed its review of the safety data from the second cohort dosed with AVA6000 at 120mg/m2 in the ongoing Phase I trial.
Following the review, the SDMC recommended the clinical trial continues as planned and escalates to the next dose of AVA6000 at 160mg/m2.
AVA6000 is a novel form of doxorubicin that has been modified with Avacta's pre|CISION fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-activated delivery platform to improve its safety and therapeutic index.
"The recommendation from the Safety Data Monitoring Committee to initiate dosing in cohort 3 with 160mg/m2 of AVA6000 is an endorsement of the emerging safety and tolerability profile in the patients enrolled in this study to date,” said Neil Bell, chief development officer of Avacta.
Dr Alastair Smith, Avacta’s CEO, added: "AVA6000, and the pre|CISION platform more broadly, have the potential to deliver safer and affordable oncology drugs that could significantly improve cancer patients' lives.
“We are very pleased with the progress being made with ALS-6000-101 study and look forward to seeing more data as it emerges from the trial."
Avacta shares jumped 14.5% to 114.50p in midmorning trade.