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news.BioInvent International and ThromboGenics's partner Roche has initiated a multi-center Phase Ib/II study of anti-cancer agent TB-403 (RG7334) to evaluate the safety and clinical effect of TB-403 in conjunction with Avastin (bevacizumab) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.
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TB-403 is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed towards placental growth factor (PIGF), expected to act by blocking the formation of the new blood vessels that are required for tumour growth.
Roche has dosed first patient in the trial and expects to further recruit around 100 patients in the trial.
With the initiation of the trial, BioInvent and ThromboGenics have received EUR4m from Roche as their second milestone payment under the collaboration.
The first milestone of EUR10m was paid last year when Roche initiated an imaging study in patients with colorectal and ovarian cancer.
In March 2011, Roche initiated a Phase Ib study of TB-403 in patients with primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
BioInvent CEO Svein Mathisen said they believe that TB-403 could make a major contribution to the armamentarium used to treat cancer.
ThromboGenics CEO Patrik De Haes said the start of these trials reflects a great interest in evaluating TB-403, in combination with more established oncology drugs, in a range of cancer indications.
"The glioblastoma study, using TB-403 together with Avastin, is designed to find better treatment options for patients with this very aggressive form of brain cancer," Haes said.