Exelixis PI3K Interim Data (NASDAQ:EXEL)

Exelixis, Inc (NASDAQ:EXEL) has announced and reported that the interim data from an ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation trial of XL147 (SAR245408) in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors have displayed positive results.

XL147 is a selective, orally available small molecule inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K). Exelixis has entered into a global license agreement with Sanofi-Aventis for XL147. Exelixis’ President of Research and Development, Michael M. Morrissey has mentioned that the preclinical data suggest that XL147 potentiates the antitumor efficacy of paclitaxel and carboplatin without exacerbating the toxicity of this commonly used regimen. Additionally, he also mentioned that they are very encouraged by this emerging signs of clinical activity and good tolerability of XL147 in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin which will be used for the treatment of refractory patients with solid tumors.

Exelixis, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. The Company has established strategic corporate alliances with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, sanofi-aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, and other leading companies. Upregulation of PI3K activity is one of the most common characteristics of human tumor cells and can result from activation of growth factor receptors, mutational activation or amplification of the PI3K gene. The results of this study demonstrates the potential for enhancing anti-tumor activity by combining XL147 with two of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents available in the market.