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(Alliance News) - Hutchmed China Ltd said on Monday that it has begun a phase one study for its 11th potential oncology drug candidate, HMPL-760.
The Hong Kong-based biopharmaceutical company said the clinical study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (how the concentration of a dosed drug in body fluids and tissues changes with time), pharmacodynamics (the study of the biochemical and physiologic effects of drugs) and preliminary efficacy profile of HMPL-760.
HMPL-760 is an inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase for both wild-type and C481S mutant enzymes. BTK plays a crucial role in B cell development, a type of white blood cell within the body's immune system. BKT inhibitors can aid in B cell malignancies.
The study is enrolling patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma or other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma whose disease carries either wild-type BTK or has acquired resistance to first generation BTK inhibitors.
Hutchmed said its first patient received their first dose last Tuesday.
An initial dose escalation stage is planned to determine the maximum tolerated dose and/or the recommended phase II dose, Hutchmed added.
This is to be followed by a dose expansion phase where patients will receive HMPL‑760 to further evaluate the safety, tolerability, and clinical activity. Approximately 100 patients are expected to be enrolled according to Hutchmed.
Shares were untraded at 498.00 pence on Monday morning in London.
By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com
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