Cytokinetics, Incorporated has initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial of its second Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP) inhibitor, SB-743921, in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Cytokinetics is conducting this clinical trial in order to expand the development activities for SB-743921, based on a recently amended agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). SB-743921 is the second drug candidate in clinical development arising from a strategic collaboration between Cytokinetics and GSK to discover, develop and commercialize novel small molecule therapeutics targeting human mitotic kinesins for applications in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. GSK is conducting a broad Phase II clinical trials program for the lead drug candidate from this program, the KSP inhibitor ispinesib (SB-715992), and is evaluating SB-743921 in an ongoing Phase I trial in patients with advanced solid tumours, according to the company release.

Dr. Andrew A. Wolff, Cytokinetics' Senior Vice President of Clinical Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer said, "The advancement of SB-743921 into this additional Phase I/II clinical trial represents a significant step forward and is consistent with the vision of our alliance with GSK to broadly explore the role of inhibitors of KSP such as SB-743921."

In September of 2005, Cytokinetics and GSK announced an amendment to their original agreement to support further expansion of the development activities for SB-743921. Under the terms of the amendment, Cytokinetics is responsible for leading and funding development activities to explore the potential application of SB-743921 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma, subject to the option for GSK to resume responsibility for development and commercialization activities for SB-743921 for these indications during a defined period. Cytokinetics' development activities will be conducted in parallel with GSK's conduct of development activities for SB-743921 in other indications and for ispinesib.