Ziopharm Shows Positive Results (NASDAQ:ZIOP)

Ziopharm Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZIOP) has announced today and presented their positive interim data from the multicenter randomized Phase 2 trial of Palifosfamide also known as Zymafos that will be used for the treating patients with unresectable or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. Ziopharm Oncology Inc announced this pleasant news at the 15th Annual Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Meeting. Since Ziopharm had already achieved the study-specified efficacy milestone following planned safety and efficacy review by the Data Committee, sarcoma experts and Company’s Medical Advisory Board it was determined that the data are compelling and sufficient to proceed to a pivotal study in support of product registration and to conclude the enrollment in the trial.

ZIOPHARM Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company that looks after the development and commercialization of a diverse portfolio of cancer drugs. The Company is currently focused on three clinical programs. Palifosfamide (Zymafos or ZIO-201) is a novel composition (tris formulation) that is the functional active metabolite of ifosfamide, a standard of care for treating sarcoma, lymphoma, testicular, and other cancers. Palifosfamide delivers only the cancer fighting component of ifosfamide. An oral form of palifosfamide has been developed preclinically to the investigational new drug application stage.

The randomized Phase 2 trial treats patients with unresectable or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma in the front- and second-line setting. The interim safety data showed that the addition of palifosfamide does not add to the toxicity of single agent doxorubicin. The most frequently reported side effects in both types of the study include neutropenia and fatigue, hypokalemia, nausea, anemia, leucopenia, and alopecia. Palifosfamide is easily administered as an out-patient treatment, and generally well-tolerated. George Demetri, member of Ziopharm’s Medical Advisory Board said that these interim results are very promising, indicating a potentially new drug to help control this life-threatening disease with acceptable safety and quality of life.