Oncology and CNS therapeutics specialist Rexahn Pharmaceuticals has announced that the Japanese Patent Office has issued a patent for its novel anti-cancer compound Archexin.
Archexin is a first-in-class potent inhibitor of Akt protein kinase, which regulates signal processes of cell proliferation and survival, angiogenesis and drug resistance in cancer.
Rexahn chairman and chief executive officer Dr Chang Ahn said that the Japanese patent award is another step forward in the development of this leading drug candidate.
"We are pleased with the progress of Archexin's ongoing Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of pancreatic cancer," Ahn said.
Archexin is being developed to treat solid tumours and has Food and Drug Administration orphan drug designation for RCC, pancreatic, stomach, glioblastoma and ovarian cancers.
Rexahn is conducting patient enrolment at multiple sites in the US and abroad and has announced that preliminary results should be available in the fourth quarter of 2010.
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