Race appoints clinical & FDA regulatory strategy advisor
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
Race appoints clinical and FDA regulatory strategy advisor
Friday 18th September - Race Oncology is pleased to announce that it has appointed the clinical and
regulatory strategy advisor, CCS Associates (CCSA, California, USA) to advise on development options
for Bisantrene as an inhibitor of the Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO).
Recent preclinical studies by researchers at the City of Hope Hospital (ASX Announcement: 29 June
2020) has identified Bisantrene to be a highly potent FTO inhibitor at low, non-toxic concentrations 1.
The FTO protein has been found to be a key driver of cancer progression in a wide range of cancers
including breast, lung, kidney, pancreatic, melanoma, glioblastoma, cervical, ovarian, liver, gastric, as
well as many leukaemias 2. This independent pre-clinical work has repositioned Bisantrene from a
traditional chemotherapeutic agent to a targeted agent of wide possible utility across multiple cancer
sub-types.
FTO is a key strategic opportunity for Race. The Race team will work closely with CCSA to identify the
optimal means of translating this compelling pre-clinical research into clinical practice.
Race’s CSO, Dr Daniel Tillett, commented, “The identification of FTO as a key driver of oncogenic RNA
epigenetic change is one of the most interesting cancer discoveries of the last decade. We are excited
by the potential of Bisantrene to specifically target FTO and look forward to working closely with CCSA
on how to best unlock this opportunity.”
In tandem with this work, CCSA will liaise with Race’s current regulatory advisor to review Race’s
Investigational New Drug applications to be submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
in line with our existing 5-path strategy. Race is seeking FDA IND approval to investigate Bisantrene
for the treatment of Paediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Adult AML Measurable Residual
Disease (MRD). This review is not expected to delay Race’s IND process which continues to be
advanced by our team.
Race's CEO, Phillip Lynch commented, "CCSA has over 35 years' experience in providing integrated
regulatory advice services and has long term relationships with the National Cancer Institute and FDA
regulatory divisions. Their highly capable team and FDA insights around approval processes will help
to ensure our clinical plans remain on track and are suitably optimised to drive commercial value for
Bisantrene.”
-ENDS-
1 Su, R., Dong, L., Li, Y., Gao, M., Han, L., Wunderlich, M., et al. (2020). Targeting FTO Suppresses Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance
and Immune Evasion. Cancer Cell, 38(1), 79–96.e11.
2 Zhao, W., Qi, X., Liu, L., Ma, S., Liu, J., & Wu, J. (2020). Epigenetic Regulation of m6A Modifications in Human Cancer. Molecular
Therapy - Nucleic Acids, 19, 405–412.
Race Oncology Ltd ABN 61 149 318 749
Registered office: Level 36, Gateway Tower, 1 Macquarie Place Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
www.raceoncology.com
About Race Oncology (RAC: ASX)
Race Oncology (RAC) is a drug development biotech with a Phase II/III cancer drug called Bisantrene.
RAC has compelling clinical data for Bisantrene in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) as well as breast
and ovarian cancer. RAC is pursuing an exciting ‘5-Path’ clinical development strategy that involves
parallel Israeli, US and Australian clinical trials in AML, breast and ovarian beginning in 2020.
About CCS Associates
Established by Dr. Caroline C. Sigman in 1985, CCSA is a scientific research consulting firm specializing
in technical and support services for clinical research, design strategies for preclinical studies, chemical
information sciences, and research and development support for translational science. We have been
instrumental in bioinformatics, developing master databases of chemical information, and working
with government and private industry clients to harness nonclinical and clinical data in support of
pharmaceutical development. The professional staff of CCSA includes PhD-, MD-, MS-, MA-, BS-, and
BA-level scientists with academic backgrounds and professional certifications in clinical research,
pediatrics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, genetics, carcinogenesis,
pharmacology, immunology, toxicology, cell and molecular biology, biostatistics, and computer
science.
Release authorised by:
Media contact:
Dr Daniel Tillett, Executive Director and CSO
Jane Lowe, IR Department
+61 488 091 727
+ 61 411 117 774
daniel.tillett@raceoncology.com
jane.lowe@irdepartment.com.au
Race Oncology Ltd ABN 61 149 318 749
Registered office: Level 36, Gateway Tower, 1 Macquarie Place Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
www.raceoncology.com
Share your feedback
Discover