TRACON announces CRADA with NCI to study TRC105 in prostate cancer
October 19, 2009
San Diego, CA – October 19, 2009 – TRACON Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company that develops targeted therapies for oncology and ophthalmology, announced today that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collaborate on the study of TRC105 for the treatment of prostate cancer. TRC105 is TRACON’s clinical stage monoclonal antibody that targets CD105, an endothelial cell membrane receptor that is essential for the process of new blood vessel formation called angiogenesis. Tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on angiogenesis, and CD105 is strongly expressed on the blood vessels of most solid cancers. By inhibiting angiogenesis and attacking the preformed blood vessels in established tumors, TRC105 is expected to have activity against a wide variety of solid cancer types. Under the terms of the CRADA, TRACON and the NCI will collaborate over a 5-year period to develop TRC105 as a treatment for prostate cancer, the most common cancer affecting men in the United States. “This CRADA is a significant milestone in the development of TRC105,” said Bryan Leigh, MD, TRACON’s Chief Medical Officer. “We look forward to working closely with the NCI as we move ahead with Phase 2 clinical trials of TRC105 as a therapy for prostate cancer.”
About TRACON
TRACON Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of products for oncology and ophthalmology treatment, including agents that inhibit angiogenesis. TRACON addresses unmet needs in these areas with first-in-class product candidates that will complement existing therapies. TRC093 is a monoclonal antibody that binds to cleaved collagen to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth that began dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer patients in July, 2007. TRC105 is a monoclonal antibody that binds CD105 (endoglin) to inhibit angiogenesis that began dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer patients in January, 2008. TRC102, a small molecule that reverses resistance to chemotherapeutics, began dosing in 2008 in a Phase 1 trial in combination with Temodar® and a Phase 1 trial in combination with Alimta®. Further information about TRACON Pharmaceuticals can be found at www.traconpharma.com.
TRACON Pharmaceuticals Contact:
Delia Alvarez, (858) 550-0780 ext. 232, info@traconpharma.com