ENDOCYTE BEGINS TRIAL OF EC145

Endocyte has announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial with EC145, a folate-targeted cytotoxic anticancer drug. The open-label, non-randomized, dose escalation study is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of EC145 and to identify the dose to be used in future Phase II efficacy trials.

EC145 combines a folate vitamin analogue with a microtubule destabilizing anticancer drug. This technology enables the delivery of this anti-cancer agent to folate receptors, which are commonly found on tumor cells. The drug subsequently is absorbed by these cells, leading to their destruction.