FDA and Processa agree to expand NGC-Cap development into breast cancer providing a more efficient path to approval
FDA agrees that existing data and studies can be used to support the Phase 2 breast cancer trial design
“We believe the pursuit of an advanced or metastatic breast cancer indication for NGC-Cap is a logical progression for Processa as it represents a larger market than colorectal cancer with the potential to differentiate NGC-Cap from the presently approved capecitabine as well as other treatments for breast cancer. The FDA and Processa discussed the advantages and disadvantages of developing NGC-Cap in breast cancer and concluded that the development would be a more efficient and straightforward path to approval with an easier enrolment process for the Phase 2 and 3 trials,” said
“Based on this expansion to breast cancer we have identified breast cancer key opinion leaders to join our scientific advisory board, have already determined the Phase 2 study design which we expect to share with the FDA soon, and plan to initiate our Phase 2 study in the third quarter of 2024,” concluded Young.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer, representing approximately 15% of all new cancer patients in 2023. It has a prevalence of more than 3.8 million patients, with nearly 300,000 new diagnoses last year. Over 150,000 women are currently living with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The NGC-Cap potential market for breast, colorectal and other cancers is greater than 250,000 patients per year.
About Capecitabine Administered with PCS6422 (NGC-Cap)
NGC-Cap combines the administration of PCS6422, the Company’s irreversible dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme inhibitor, with the administration of low doses of the commonly used chemotherapy Capecitabine.
Capecitabine is the oral form of 5-FU and, along with 5-FU, is among the most widely used chemotherapy drugs available, particularly for solid tumors. When metabolized (after oral ingestion), it becomes 5-FU in the body, which, in turn, metabolizes to molecules called anabolites that actively kill duplicating cells, such as cancer cells, and to molecules called catabolites that only cause side effects. The presence of the DPD enzyme plays an integral role in the undesirable conversion of 5-FU to catabolites.
PCS6422 is an analog of uracil that irreversibly inhibits DPD. PCS6422 is neither toxic nor active as a single agent in animals at comparable dose levels. However, when administered in combination with Capecitabine or 5-FU, PCS6422 decreases the metabolism of 5-FU to the catabolites that only cause side effects, allowing more of the 5-FU to distribute to cancer cells.
About Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Processa is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing the Next Generation Chemotherapy (NGC) drugs to improve the safety and efficacy of cancer treatment. By combining Processa’s novel oncology pipeline with proven cancer-killing active molecules and Processa’s Regulatory Science Approach as well as experience in defining Optimal Dosage Regimens for FDA approvals, Processa not only will be providing better therapy options to cancer patients but also increase the probability of FDA approval for its Next Generation Chemotherapy (NGC) drugs following an efficient path to approval. The company’s approach to drug development, based on more than 30 years of drug development experience, uses its proven Regulatory Science Approach, including the determination of the Optimal Dosage Regimen using the principles of the FDA’s Project Optimus Oncology initiative. Processa’s NGC drugs are modifications of existing FDA-approved oncology drugs resulting in an alteration of the metabolism and/or distribution of these FDA-approved drugs while maintaining the existing mechanisms of killing the cancer cells. The advantages of Processa’s NGCs are expected to include fewer patients experiencing side effects that lead to dose discontinuation, more significant cancer response, and a greater number of patients ---- over 250,000 patients treated each year for each drug ----- who will benefit from each NGC drug. Currently under development are three next generation chemotherapy oncology treatments: Next Generation Capecitabine (PCS6422 and capecitabine to treat breast, metastatic colorectal, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and other cancers), Next Generation Gemcitabine (PCS3117 to treat pancreatic, lung, ovarian, breast, and other cancers), and Next Generation Irinotecan (PCS11T to treat lung, colorectal, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and other cancers).
For more information, visit our website at www.processapharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual future performance outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents filed by
For More Information:
Investors:
CORE IR
ir@processapharma.com
Company Contact:
(925) 683-3218
plin@processapharma.com
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