Cougar Biotechnology Licenses Rights to Seocalcitol from LEO Pharma

01-Jul-2005

Cougar Biotechnology, Inc announced that it has licensed the worldwide, exclusive rights to seocalcitol (EB1089) from LEO Pharma A/S (Ballerup, Denmark). Seocalcitol (EB1089) is a synthetic analog of vitamin D (1,25(OH2)D3) that has been clinically tested in a number of different cancer indications.

The results of in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that vitamin D and analogs of vitamin D have anticancer activity in a wide range of tumor types. The results of preclinical studies have shown that seocalcitol (EB1089) is 50-200 times more potent than 1,25(OH2)D3 with respect to regulation of cell growth and differentiation in in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Importantly, because seocalcitol has shown reduced calcemic activity compared to 1,25(OH2)D3, this increase in antitumor activity is seen without inducing unacceptable levels of hypercalcemia.

"Vitamin D analogs represent an emerging class of potentially promising drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer" said Dr. Arie Belldegrun, MD, FACS, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cougar Biotechnology. "Based on the preclinical and clinical studies that have been completed with seocalcitol (EB1089), we believe that the drug may represent a potentially novel treatment option for patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer."

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, LEO Pharma received an upfront payment and will receive milestone payments as seocalcitol progresses through clinical development as well as a royalty on sales. Detailed financial terms were not disclosed.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/47313/cougar-biotechnology-licenses-rights-to-seocalcitol-from-leo-pharma.html