MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Vicus Therapeutics, LLC (Vicus), an oncology-focused, clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company, today announced that its Chief Operating Officer, Newell F. Bascomb, Ph.D. is scheduled to present at the 12th Congress of the Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine on June 23rd at the Okayama Convention Center, Okayama, Japan.
Dr. Bascomb’s presentation will disclose data obtained from investigator- led studies assessing the use of VT-122 for treating cancer cachexia that were completed in 2006 and 2007. These studies demonstrated improvement in patient-reported quality of life and reversal of rapid weight loss in seven of nine evaluable subjects.
“VT-122 is comprised of two FDA-approved drugs, each with a long history of safety. Therefore, demonstrating improvement in patient-reported quality of life and reversal of rapid weight loss were the key first steps in the clinical evaluation of VT-122,” said Dr. Bascomb. “We are especially pleased that this prestigious forum has invited us to share our encouraging data.”
About Cancer Cachexia and VT-122
Cancer cachexia results in severe wasting of muscle and connective tissue and is one of the most common debilitating and distressing conditions of advanced cancer. Severe cachexia is associated with extreme weakness, intolerance to chemotherapy and substantially reduced life expectancy. There is currently no FDA-approved therapy for treating cancer cachexia.
VT-122 targets inflammatory and other key pathways associated with cancer cachexia. The use of VT-122 is currently being evaluated under a US IND in a Phase 2 study being conducted concurrently at multiple sites in the US and India. Results from this ongoing trial are expected by end of 2007.
About The Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine
The Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine was established to create the field of Palliative Medicine centered on cancer medicine as a specialty in its own right. The society aims at researching and developing interdisciplinary and scientific study of Palliative Medicine, with comprehensive consideration focusing on quality of life-centered medical paradigms.
About Vicus Therapeutics
Vicus Therapeutics is a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of pharmaceutical product candidates for the treatment of cancer supportive care indications with an initial focus on cachexia. Vicus’ strategy involves combining individual generic drugs that have previously received regulatory approval for other indications and thus have established post-marketing safety records. Vicus leverages its proprietary science to design and patent novel drug combinations that work together to reverse the body’s maladaptive responses to cancer and its treatment. Vicus’ lead combination product candidate, VT-122, is in Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of cancer cachexia in patients with advanced lung cancer. Additionally, Vicus has preclinical-stage combination product candidates being evaluated for the treatment of oral mucositis and cancer fatigue. Vicus’ development programs are powered by its network of leading clinical investigators and partners in the United States, India and Japan. This international network drives the high quality, rapid and cost effective clinical development of Vicus’ product candidates.
Website: www.vicustherapeutics.com
Vicus Therapeutics
CONTACT: Investors: John Maki, President and CEO, Vicus Therapeutics, LLC,+1-973-285-3175; Media: Tina Posterli, Rx Communications Group, LLC,+1-917- 322-2565, tposterli@rxir.com
Web site: http://www.vicustherapeutics.com//
