Purdue Pharma Completes Ph I for Oncology Therapy Candidate

Purdue Pharma announced on 6/27/2018 successful completion of a first-in-human Phase 1 dose escalation study of tinostamustine in patients with relapsed or refractory hematological malignancies for which there are no available therapies. The study evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetics, and sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose and inform a Phase 2 dose of tinostamustine.

The multi-acting therapy candidate tinostamustine, previously known as EDO-S101, is a novel and potentially first-in-class alkylating deacetylase inhibitor (AK-DACi) therapy being studied for its potential to improve access to the DNA strands within cancer cells, break them, and counteract the cancer cells’ attempt to repair the DNA damage. It is in development for a range of rare or difficult to treat blood cancers and solid tumors. Based on the results of this Phase I human trial, Purdue will support advancement of tinostamustine into further clinical studies.

“We are pleased with the outcome of this promising early stage oncology program and we believe it has the potential to make meaningful clinical contributions in areas with significant unmet needs,” said Craig Landau, MD, president and CEO, Purdue Pharma. “In addition to our established commitments in oncology and neuroscience, we are actively seeking opportunities to collaborate across a number of therapeutic areas as part of our ongoing efforts to diversify our scientific research and bring therapies to market that may improve outcomes for patients.”

Purdue has recently made a number of investments in oncology treatments. The company is primarily known as a manufacturer of pain management products. In recent years it has come under fire for its promotion of opioids such as Oxycontin. Purdue recently laid off its entire sales force.

As part of its oncology investments, Purdue is currently supporting research for four drug candidates across 14 different cancer types. Research on these compounds is being advanced on behalf of Purdue by Mundipharma EDO.


In addition to tinostamustine, Purdue’s clinical stage oncology portfolio includes etoposide toniribate, a novel target-activated topoisomerase inhibitor that delivers the chemotherapy etoposide to tumors in an inactive form where it is ‘switched on’ by enzymes called carboxylesterases. Purdue also has two late pre-clinical stage antibody-drug conjugates, EDO-B776 and EDO-B278, in development. EDO-B776 is being studied for its potential to target the cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) in ovarian cancer. EDO-B278, which targets human tissue factor, is in development for treatment of various solid tumors.