Antisoma (ASM)

[peewee]

04 Jun 2010 - Antisoma plc announced hat the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to the Company's novel DNA intercalator, AS1413 (amonafide L-malate), for the treatment of secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (secondary AML).


The FDA's Fast Track programme is designed to facilitate the development of new drugs that have shown the potential to address an unmet medical need in a serious or life-threatening disease. Fast Track designated drugs ordinarily qualify for Priority Review, an expedited review process available to drugs that offer major advances in treatment or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists.

Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said "We're very pleased to have gained FDA Fast Track status for AS1413. This drug could represent a major advance in the options available to patients with secondary AML, and we look forward to completing the ongoing phase III trial and sharing the data with FDA and other regulators."

AS1413 already has orphan drug status in both the U.S. and the E.U. for the treatment of AML.