Vion Pharmaceuticals Inc has entered into a research services agreement with Eli Lilly and Company related to the Phase 2 trials of its anticancer agent Triapine in combination with Lilly's anticancer agent, Gemzar.

The agreement relates to the measurement of the expression of several genes in tumor tissue and blood samples from patients participating in Vion's Phase 2 trials of the combination therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Mario Sznol, Vice President, Clinical Affairs, stated, "We are very pleased to collaborate with Lilly scientists on correlative scientific studies in patients entered on our Triapine and Gemzar combination trials." He added, "The types of studies that will be conducted may provide greater understanding of the genetic makeup of patients and their tumors that determine responsiveness to Gemzar, and could also identify populations of patients that could benefit from the addition of Triapine to Gemzar."

Triapine is designed to be a potent inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme important for DNA synthesis. Gemzar is a nucleoside analogue sold for the treatment of certain solid tumors by Eli Lilly & Company.