Ignyta Announces Initiation Of Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial Of RXDX-107

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ignyta, Inc. (Nasdaq: RXDX), a precision oncology biotechnology company, announced today the initiation of the company’s Phase 1/1b clinical trial of RXDX-107, its next generation alkyl ester of bendamustine encapsulated in human serum albumin (HSA) to form nanoparticles. This multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D), tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary clinical activity of RXDX-107 in adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

“We are excited to be able to begin dosing patients with this product candidate at leading cancer centers in this clinical trial”

“We are excited to be able to begin dosing patients with this product candidate at leading cancer centers in this clinical trial,” said Jonathan Lim, M.D., Chairman and CEO of Ignyta. “RXDX-107 represents our third product candidate in the clinic, furthering our goal of attacking cancer on multiple fronts for the benefit of cancer patients. The speed with which we have been able to file an IND and bring this molecule into clinical development six months after acquisition from Teva is a testament to the Ignyta team’s strong execution.”

About RXDX-107

RXDX-107 is a new chemical entity comprising an alkyl ester of bendamustine encapsulated in HSA to form nanoparticles. RXDX-107 is designed to have increased half-life and improved tissue biodistribution by leveraging the affinity characteristics of albumin for tumor cells, while retaining the unique cytotoxic properties of bendamustine. These improvements may provide meaningful benefit to patients with solid tumors. In preclinical pharmacology studies, RXDX-107 has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in multiple in vitro and in vivo studies, including cell line-based and patient-derived xenograft models of solid tumors.

About Ignyta, Inc.

Ignyta, Inc., located in San Diego, California, is a precision oncology biotechnology company pursuing an integrated therapeutic (Rx) and companion diagnostic (Dx) strategy for treating cancer patients. The company’s goal with this Rx/Dx approach is to discover, develop and commercialize new drugs that target activated cancer genes and pathways for the customized treatment of cancer, as well as novel chemotherapeutics that can potentially provide additional benefit to cancer patients. It aims to achieve this goal by pairing its product candidates with biomarker-based companion diagnostics that are designed to identify, at the molecular level, the patients who are most likely to benefit from the precisely targeted drugs the company develops. For more information, please visit: www.ignyta.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Ignyta as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, references to the initiation of the clinical program for RXDX-107 and the potential benefits of this product candidate. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the potential for results of current or future clinical trials of RXDX-107 or other product candidates to differ from preliminary or expected results; the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies and operating as a development stage company; Ignyta’s ability to develop, complete preclinical studies and clinical trials for, obtain approvals for and commercialize any of its product candidates; changes in Ignyta’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Ignyta’s ability to raise any additional funding it will need to continue to pursue its business and product development plans; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Ignyta’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; the loss of key scientific or management personnel; competition in the industry in which Ignyta operates; and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Ignyta assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents the company files with the SEC available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation Ignyta’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.