Bionomics to extend trials of ovarian cancer treatment

Adelaide-based drug development company Bionomics is planning to embark on a new clinical trial of its ovarian cancer treatment, BNC105, in combination with existing chemotherapy drugs.

The phase I/II trial will see BNC105 combined with carboplatin and gemcitabine, both of which are commonly used to treat ovarian cancer. The hope is the combination treatment will have greater efficacy than any single treatment in isolation.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the combination of BNC105 with gemcitabine or a platinum treatment results in increased therapeutic benefit for animals carrying subcutaneous solid tumours.

“It has always been Bionomics’ intention to initiate further clinical trials of BNC105 and the decision to undertake a clinical trial in women with ovarian cancer has followed extensive consultation with key opinion leaders in Australia and the U.S.,” said Bionomics' CEO and Managing Director Dr Deborah Rathjen. “The trial is anticipated to commence in the first half of 2012.”

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women. In 2010 there were an estimated 21,880 new cases and 13,850 deaths from ovarian cancer in the U.S.. It is estimated that approximately $2.2 billion is spent in the U.S. each year on treatment of ovarian cancer.

Drugs used to treat ovarian cancer reported sales of approximately US$3.6 billion in 2010.

The trial will be conducted at multiple centres both in Australia and in the United States.