Avacta Group PLC on Wednesday said it has completed the fifth dose escalation cohort in its phase 1 clinical study of AVA6000.

The Wetherby, England-based life sciences company developing targeted oncology drugs and diagnostics said the data from the trial continues to show a ‘very favourable safety profile’ for the tumour targeted chemotherapy.

The company added that several patients in its fifth cohort, as well as earlier cohorts, remain on treatment as their disease has not progressed.

AVA6000 is a chemically modified form of doxorubicin designed to reduce systemic side effects by targeting the release of active chemotherapy in tumour tissue. The firm said it has seen a ‘marked reduction’ in both the frequency and severity of toxicities associated with standard doxorubicin chemotherapy.

Avacta said the Safety data Monitoring Committee has recommended the continuation of the sixth dose cohort, with a dose 2.7 times the standard doxorubicin dose. The escalation aims to identify the maximum tolerated dose.

Chief Executive Alastair Smith said: ‘The continued positive safety profile of AVA6000 at these dose levels compared with standard doxorubicin is remarkable. We are seeing a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of all doxorubicin side effects.

‘Analysis of the tumour biopsies to date also confirms that enough doxorubicin is being released in the tumour to have a therapeutic effect. If even higher doses of AVA6000 are tolerated then this may make a significant difference to the outcomes for patients in the upcoming efficacy study.’

Avacta shares rose 7.9% to 113.86 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.

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