Kintara Therapeutics Announces Initiation of REM-001 Clinical Trial for the Treatment of Cutaneous Metastatic Breast Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

Kintara Therapeutics (KTRA) initiates a 15-patient clinical trial for REM-001 in cutaneous metastatic breast cancer, supported by a $2.0 million NIH grant. The trial aims to confirm the planned dose and study design for a Phase 3 trial, with promising efficacy data and FDA Fast Track Designation.

Oncology Doctor

The initiation of a 15-patient open label clinical trial by Kintara Therapeutics to evaluate REM-001 in CMBC patients represents a significant step in the development of novel cancer treatments. REM-001, as a second-generation photodynamic therapy (PDT), offers a potentially advantageous approach due to its targeted mechanism of action, which involves the activation of a photosensitizer by specific wavelengths of light to destroy cancer cells. The reported 80% complete response rate in previous trials suggests a high efficacy of REM-001, although these findings must be validated in larger, controlled studies.

From a medical standpoint, the primary endpoint of Best Overall Objective Response Rate (bORR) is a robust measure of treatment efficacy, focusing on the most meaningful outcomes for patients: complete or partial response to therapy. The trial's design to confirm the planned dose and optimize the study for a subsequent Phase 3 trial is crucial, as dose optimization can lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced toxicity. If successful, REM-001 could fill an important gap in the treatment of CMBC, a condition with currently limited options.

Medical Research Analyst

The support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the form of a $2.0 million SBIR grant is a testament to the potential of REM-001's clinical utility. This funding not only underscores the therapy's promise but also mitigates financial risk for Kintara Therapeutics, allowing the company to allocate resources efficiently. The Fast Track Designation by the FDA is indicative of the agency's recognition of REM-001 as a treatment for a serious condition with the potential to address an unmet medical need.

From a research perspective, the trial's open label design will provide immediate insight into the drug's efficacy and safety profile, although it may also introduce biases that are typically controlled for in blinded studies. The trial's outcome will have implications for the company's valuation, as positive results could lead to increased investor confidence and potentially expedite the drug's path to market, assuming subsequent trials are successful.

Market Research Analyst

Considering the estimated prevalence of CMBC in the United States, with potentially over 40,000 cases annually, the market opportunity for REM-001 is significant. The unmet need in this patient population represents a considerable commercial potential for Kintara Therapeutics should REM-001 be approved. Furthermore, the company's strategic positioning in the oncology space could be strengthened by a successful trial outcome, potentially leading to collaborations or licensing agreements.

However, the impact on the stock market will depend on the trial's results and subsequent investor perception. Positive data could lead to stock price appreciation, while any setbacks might have the opposite effect. Long-term implications for stakeholders include the potential for revenue growth upon successful commercialization and the possibility of REM-001 becoming a standard of care for CMBC, subject to regulatory approval and adoption by the medical community.

- 15-patient Open Label Study to Confirm Planned Dose and Optimized Study Design Leading to a Phase 3 Clinical Trial in CMBC Patients -

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTRA) ("Kintara" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new solid tumor cancer therapies, today announced the initiation of a REM-001 15-patient clinical trial (NCT05374915) in cutaneous metastatic breast cancer (CMBC) patients.

This open label 15-patient study in CMBC patients is evaluating REM-001, a second-generation photodynamic therapy (PDT) photosensitizer agent, and is designed to test the 0.8 mg dose as well as optimize the study design in advance of a Phase 3 trial initiation. The primary endpoint in the study is Best Overall Objective Response Rate (bORR) (complete response or partial response) of the target treatment fields at any time from treatment up to, and including, week 24.

In June 2023, Kintara was awarded a $2.0 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the clinical development of REM-001 in CMBC. This grant will cover the majority of the costs to run this clinical study.

"We are encouraged by the extensive data from prior REM-001 therapy trials supporting its strong efficacy in CMBC patients, providing us with an opportunity to address a significant unmet medical need," said Robert E. Hoffman, President and CEO of Kintara. "With an 80% complete response rate for evaluable lesions in CMBC patients observed in previous late-stage clinical trials and the support of the NIH, along with the FDA's Fast Track Designation, we are confident in the potential of REM-001 to help CMBC patients."

"CMBC is a devastating disease with limited treatment options for patients," said Alina Markova, M.D., Section Head, General Dermatology and Oncodermatology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Principal Investigator of the REM-001 15-patient study. "I am looking forward to testing the therapeutic potential of REM-001 in this trial and bringing novel therapies to CMBC patients to improve their quality of life."

Cutaneous metastases can develop with any metastatic cancer but are believed to occur most frequently in metastatic breast cancer.  A 2003 meta-analysis of over 20,000 metastatic cancer patients found that 24% of the breast cancer patients included in the analysis had developed cutaneous metastases, which was the highest rate of any cancer type.  Based on a 2017 analysis, the current prevalence of metastatic breast cancer in the United States is estimated to be over 168,000. Accordingly, the prevalence of CMBC may be in excess of 40,000 cases annually in the United States.

ABOUT KINTARA

Located in San Diego, California, Kintara is dedicated to the development of novel cancer therapies for patients with unmet medical needs. Kintara develops therapeutics for clear unmet medical needs with reduced risk development programs. The Company's lead program is REM-001 Therapy for cutaneous metastatic breast cancer.

Kintara has a proprietary, late-stage photodynamic therapy platform that holds promise as a localized cutaneous, or visceral, tumor treatment as well as in other potential indications. REM-001 Therapy, which consists of the laser light source, the light delivery device, and the REM-001 drug product, has been previously studied in four Phase 2/3 clinical trials in patients with CMBC who had previously received chemotherapy and/or failed radiation therapy. In CMBC, REM-001 has a clinical efficacy to date of 80% complete responses of CMBC evaluable lesions and an existing robust safety database of approximately 1,100 patients across multiple indications.

For more information, please visit www.kintara.com or follow us on X at @Kintara_Thera, Facebook and LinkedIn.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's REM-001 15-patient clinical trial in CMBC patients. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology; the Company's review of strategic alternatives; the expected benefits and efficacy of the Company's products and technology; the availability of substantial additional funding for the Company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; the status of the Company's clinical trials; the Company's business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies; and global unrest.  These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K.

CONTACTS

Investors:
Robert E. Hoffman
Kintara Therapeutics
rhoffman@kintara.com

 

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SOURCE Kintara Therapeutics

What is the purpose of the 15-patient clinical trial announced by Kintara Therapeutics (KTRA)?

The trial aims to evaluate REM-001 in cutaneous metastatic breast cancer patients to confirm the planned dose and study design for a Phase 3 trial.

What is the primary endpoint of the study?

The primary endpoint is the Best Overall Objective Response Rate (bORR) of the target treatment fields at any time up to, and including, week 24.

What grant did Kintara receive to support the clinical development of REM-001?

Kintara received a $2.0 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the NIH.

What is the significance of the FDA's Fast Track Designation for REM-001?

The FDA's Fast Track Designation indicates potential benefits for patients with cutaneous metastatic breast cancer.

How many cases of metastatic breast cancer are estimated in the United States annually?

The current prevalence of metastatic breast cancer in the United States is estimated to be over 168,000, with CMBC potentially exceeding 40,000 cases annually.