ADHEREX RECEIVES IND CLEARANCE FOR ENILURACIL

Adherex has announced that the FDA has cleared its investigational new drug (IND) application for antitumor drug eniluracil. The company will begin two new clinical studies of the drug.

The first will enroll approximately 20 patients with colorectal cancer who will undergo surgery to remove their tumors. These patients will receive an oral dose of eniluracil prior to their surgery. Samples of tumor and normal tissues will be evaluated for the duration of eniluracil's effect on the enzymes involved in the activation and breakdown of 5-FU. This trial is expected to begin shortly, with data available in the first half of 2006.