Eisai Pushes For Development Of Cancer Drugs (Japan)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Eisai Co. is accelerating its development of antibody drugs, hoping to leverage the technologies of U.S. subsidiary Morphotek Inc. to spur growth in the field of cancer treatment. Morphotek plans to begin by December phase II clinical testing of MORAb-009, an antibody that recognizes and binds to a cell-surface protein called mesothelin, which is strongly associated with the spread of cancer. The Eisai subsidiary is conducting safety and efficacy tests on MORAb-009 to treat pancreatic cancer, mesothelial cancer, small-cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. The company will also start phase I clinical trials in fiscal 2008 for two other antibody drugs for cancer treatment: MORAb-028 to treat metastatic melanoma and MORAb-004 to prevent the formation of blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors. (Click here for more - May Require Paid Subscription