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Verastem Enters Biomarker Agreement with LabCorp for Cancer Stem Cell Agent Companion Diagnostic
The biomarkers will be the subject of clinical studies in ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, including a potentially pivotal study of VS-6063 in mesothelioma expected to initiate later this year.
“The identification of patients most likely to benefit from targeted
therapy is critical to accelerating the drug development and approval
process,” said
Clinical assay validation is an integral component to all companion
diagnostics entering an
Pioneering research by
Mesothelioma tumors lacking the tumor suppressor Merlin appear to be particularly sensitive to FAK inhibitors. As shown recently at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, sensitivity due to lack of Merlin is evident in both research models and early clinical proof-of-concept.
“We believe the approximately 50% of mesothelioma patients lacking
Merlin may be particularly responsive to treatment with FAK inhibitors,”
said
“We are pleased to collaborate with
About VS-6063
VS-6063 is an oral small molecule inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase
(FAK) which is a critical pathway for cancer stem cells. VS-6063 was
well-tolerated and demonstrated signs of clinical activity in a Phase 1
study in advanced solid tumors.
About Verastem, Inc.
Forward-looking statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements about the
Company’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements
regarding the development of the Company’s compounds, including VS-6063,
and the Company’s FAK and diagnostic programs generally, the timeline
for clinical development and regulatory approval of the Company’s
compounds and the structure of the Company’s planned clinical trials.
The words “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,”
“intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,”
“will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Each
forward-looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include
the risks that the preclinical testing of the Company’s compounds may
not be predictive of the success of later clinical trials, that the
Company will be unable to successfully complete the clinical development
of its compounds, including VS-6063, that the development of the
Company’s compounds will take longer or cost more than planned, and that
the Company’s compounds will not receive regulatory approval or become
commercially successful products. Other risks and uncertainties include
those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Source:
Verastem, Inc.
Investor contact
Brian Sullivan,
617-252-9314
bsullivan@verastem.com
or
Media
contact
Kari Watson, 781-235-3060
kwatson@macbiocom.com