Poniard report encouraging data in several cancers

The results of the Phase I trials with picoplatin, a new generation platinum, in prostate and colorectal cancer were presented earlier this year. Encouraging bioavailability data has also been presented from the ongoing Phase I trial of oral picoplatin.

The final phase II efficacy results in SCLC confirmed previously announced interim results showing a survival benefit in patients with recurrent SCLC who failed prior platinum-containing first-line chemotherapy or who progressed within six months of first-line therapy. The median overall survival in the picoplatin Phase II trial was 27 weeks for refractory and resistant small cell lung cancer patients, a population for which there is no approved therapy in the US.

The pivotal Phase III SPEAR trial in small cell lung cancer continues to enroll patients and patient enrollment in the Phase II trial in metastatic colorectal cancer has now completed.

Poniard's Chief Medical Officer stated that:

"Picoplatin, to date, has demonstrated good tolerability, with no severe neuropathies when combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in the FOLPI regimen. In our Phase 2 trial, we are performing a head-to-head comparison of the efficacy and safety of picoplatin with oxaliplatin. We will be presenting preliminary Phase 2 data and updated Phase 1 data at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting."