BioLineRx Presents Multi-Year Clinical Development Plan for its BL-8040 Hematological Cancer Therapeutic Platform
- Clinical trials in three additional indications for BL-8040 to be initiated in 2015 -
- Development strategy presented today at BioLineRx investor meeting in
The main development program for BL-8040 relates to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). BL-8040 is currently undergoing a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed or refractory AML. Positive data from the dose-escalation stage of the study, which was recently presented at the 2014 ASH (
Targeting a second AML treatment line, BL-8040 is scheduled to commence a Phase 2b trial, as a consolidation treatment for AML patients who have responded to standard induction treatment, in the first quarter of 2015. The trial will be conducted in collaboration with the
BL-8040 will also target a third population of AML patients, and is scheduled to commence a Phase 1/2 trial, for the treatment of AML patients with the FLT3-ITD mutation, in the first quarter of 2015. AML patients with the FLT3-ITD mutation exhibit poor response and high relapse rates to chemotherapy, and only transient response rates to FLT3 inhibitors. Preclinical data (presented at the
A second clinical development program planned for BL-8040 designates the drug for the treatment of hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome (hMDS) and aplastic anemia (AA). hMDS is a subtype of myelodysplastic syndrome, a collection of myeloid malignancies characterized by one or more peripheral blood cytopenias (deficiency in the number of blood cells). AA is a disease in which the bone marrow and the blood stem cells that reside in the marrow are depleted, resulting in a deficiency of all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Treatment for these bone-marrow failure conditions consists of immunosuppressive therapy with hATG and cyclosporine; however, a sizable fraction of patients do not respond to this therapy. Preclinical data suggest that BL-8040 promotes stem cell proliferation and differentiation thereby allowing recovery of hematopoiesis (formation and development of blood cells). The data show that treatment of mice with BL-8040 contributes to bone marrow regeneration, and increases the number of progenitor cells and the mature components of the blood and immune systems. BioLineRx is planning to commence a Phase 1/2 trial, to assess the addition of BL-8040 to the standard immunosuppressive therapy in patients with hMDS or AA, in the second quarter of 2015. This trial will be conducted in collaboration with the
A third clinical development program for the BL-8040 treatment platform involves assessing the drug as a novel monotherapy treatment for the mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood circulation, where they can be harvested for transplant supporting the treatment of hematological indications. Stem cell mobilization is increasingly used as a method of collecting hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation, as part of the treatment of certain types of hematological cancers, and for the treatment of severe anemia or immune deficiency disorders. A two-part Phase 1 study is currently ongoing, to explore the safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects of ascending doses of BL-8040 in healthy subjects. The results of this study are expected in the first quarter of 2015.
“We are proud to present our multi-year vision for BL-8040, our unique platform for the treatment of hematological malignancies and other hematological indications,” said Dr.
BioLineRx will host an event for investors and analysts this morning from
About BL-8040
BL-8040 is a clinical-stage drug candidate for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, as well as other hematological indications. It is a short peptide that functions as a high-affinity antagonist for CXCR4, a chemokine receptor that is directly involved in tumor progression, angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in the tumor), metastasis (spread of the disease to other organs or organ parts) and cell survival. CXCR4 is over-expressed in more than 70% of human cancers and its expression often correlates with disease severity. In a Phase 1/2, open-label, dose escalation, safety and efficacy clinical trial in 18 multiple myeloma patients, BL-8040 demonstrated an excellent safety profile at all doses tested and was highly effective in the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and white blood cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood.
BL-8040 also mobilizes cancer cells from the bone marrow and may therefore sensitize these cells to chemo- and bio-based anti-cancer therapy. Importantly, BL-8040 has also demonstrated a direct anti-cancer effect by inducing apoptosis. Pre-clinical studies show that BL-8040 is efficient, both alone and in combination with the anti-cancer drug Rituximab, in reducing bone marrow metastasis of lymphoma cells and stimulating lymphoma cell death. In addition, the current Phase 2 clinical trial in AML patients has demonstrated robust mobilization and apoptosis of cancer cells. BL-8040 was licensed by BioLineRx from Biokine Therapeutics and was previously developed under the name BKT-140.
About BioLineRx
BioLineRx is a publicly-traded, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to identifying, in-licensing and developing promising therapeutic candidates. The Company in-licenses novel compounds primarily from academic institutions and biotech companies based in Israel, develops them through pre-clinical and/or clinical stages, and then partners with pharmaceutical companies for advanced clinical development and/or commercialization.
BioLineRx’s current portfolio consists of a variety of clinical and pre-clinical projects, including: BL-1040 for prevention of pathological cardiac remodeling following a myocardial infarction, which has been out-licensed to Bellerophon BCM (f/k/a
For more information on BioLineRx, please visit www.biolinerx.com or download the investor relations mobile device app, which allows users access to the Company’s SEC documents, press releases, and events. BioLineRx’s IR app is available on the iTunes App Store as well as the Google Play Store.
Various statements in this release concerning BioLineRx’s future expectations, including specifically those related to the development and commercialization of BL-8040, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include words such as “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” and “intends,” and describe opinions about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BioLineRx to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are: changes in relationships with collaborators; the impact of competitive products and technological changes; risks relating to the development of new products; and the ability to implement technological improvements. These and other factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of BioLineRx’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2014. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent BioLineRx’s views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. BioLineRx does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.
Source: BioLineRx
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