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SuperGen Discontinues Clinical Development of SGI-1776

^{Published on 2010-11-10 14:10:30 - Market Wire}
 

DUBLIN, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--SuperGen, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUPG) today announced that it has discontinued clinical development of its phase 1 PIM kinase drug candidate, SGI-1776, while continuing development of the PIM inhibitor program.

"While we are disappointed with the toxicity seen in patients receiving SGI-1776 and the discontinuation of the development of this specific compound, PIM kinase continues to be an important target for oncology drug development"

The dose limiting toxicity of cardiac QTc prolongation was identified previously in the phase 1 study in patients with refractory prostate and lymphoma. Additional detailed cardiac and pharmacokinetic data evaluation of SGI-1776 in this trial has failed to demonstrate a safe therapeutic window to prudently continue clinical development of this molecule. SGI-1776 was not associated with any other clinically significant adverse effects. SuperGen discovery and development teams are still committed to pursue PIM kinase inhibition as a highly attractive cancer treatment target by continuing to evaluate back-up drug candidates that may exhibit a more favorable safety profile.

"While we are disappointed with the toxicity seen in patients receiving SGI-1776 and the discontinuation of the development of this specific compound, PIM kinase continues to be an important target for oncology drug development,a said James S.J. Manuso, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. aThe discovery team has identified backup candidates that initially appear to lack some of the liabilities seen in SGI-1776. We continue to pursue inhibitors of PIM that might exhibit a more favorable therapeutic profile.a

"We continue to believe that PIM inhibition is an important new approach to the treatment of cancer, including patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia,a said Mohammad Azab, M.D., Chief Medical Officer. aGiven a significant, unmet need for effective therapies for these patients, SuperGen will continue to research drug candidates that might serve as an effective and safe treatment in this, and other, cancers.a

About SuperGen

SuperGen is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics in epigenetic and cell signaling modulation. The Company develops products through biochemical and clinical proof of concept to partner for further development and commercialization. For more information about SuperGen, please visit [ http://www.supergen.com ].

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are typically preceded by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "will," "may," "should," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these statements. Factors that might cause the company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the overall success of the clinical trials for any product candidates, our ability to discover, develop and move target compounds into clinical development and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its most recently filed Form 10-Q and 10-K. SuperGen, Inc. undertakes no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results.