SCHERING AG BEGINS NEW EPOTHILONE STUDIES

Germany-based Schering AG has launched two new Phase II clinical studies in the U.S. and Canada evaluating its novel epothilone, ZK-EPO, for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and recurrent ovarian cancer. The aim of these trials is to establish proof-of-concept while assessing objective response rates of ZK-EPO in each of these cancer types, the company said.

ZK-EPO is a novel epothilone that was strategically designed to overcome the limitations associated with other microtubule stabilizing agents by combining high potency with a wide therapeutic window.

"Through the development of these broad and thorough Phase II clinical trials, Schering is committed to fully exploring the potential of ZK-EPO," said Peter Zündorf, head of Schering's oncology global business unit. "Results to-date lead us to believe that ZK-EPO has the potential to become an important treatment option for patients suffering from these devastating diseases."