Piramal Healthcare has successfully completed the phase I clinical trial of orally acting anticancer compound P1446A-05 and now planning to present phase I clinical trial data for its investigational new drug candidate at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)  in Chicago from June 1-5, 2012. This year ASCO meeting will bring together more than 34,000 participants form around the world and focus on the theme of 'Collaborating to Conquer Cancer'.

Its new drug candidate P1446A-05 is a potent inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks) which are enzymes that regulate the cell cycle. Dysregulation of the cell cycle is often observed in human malignancies which drives malignant growth and unbalances the normal balance between cell division and death. P1446A-05 exhibits high oral bioavailability, shows potent anti-proliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines, and is efficacious in xenorgraft tumour models. The new drug will be the second molecule in Piramal's oncology pipeline to enter phase II trials. The first molecule P276 is in phase II/III trials for multiple indications of cancer.

Dr Swati Piramal, director, said, “We are extremely pleased with the results of the Phase I study of P1446A-05 and are committed to moving the molecule further in clinical development for the treatment of cancer.”

Cancer is a complex group of diseases fuelled by many underlying mechanisms. Research and development at Piramal Healthcare is built on recent discoveries in molecular genomics, rational drug design and state-of-the-art drug discovery technologies. The robust R&D programme has enabled the company to advance a broad range of innovative therapies in development, including various phases of clinical trials.

Dr Alan Hatfield, executive vice president, clinical research, Piramal Healthcare, commented, “The completion of these two phase I studies readies P1446!-05, an oral CDK inhibitor administered daily, to enter into a broader context of clinical development across a spectrum of malignant diseases. It offers continuous exposure to the targets and has a profile that can be integrated with other therapies.”

These presentations at the 2012, ASCO Annual Meeting on the oral anticancer compound P1446A-05 highlight Piramal Healthcare's continued commitment to exploring new treatment options for cancer through novel mechanisms and targets, and building up a robust oncology pipeline.