NEW YORK – Scorpion Therapeutics and Pierre Fabre Laboratories said on Tuesday that they have treated the first EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patient in their Phase I/II trial of STX-721.
In the Phase I/II trial, Scorpion and Pierre Fabre are studying the EGFR inhibitor as a monotherapy in 120 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors harbor EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations as confirmed by qualified local laboratories. Initially, the partners are evaluating STX-721's safety and trying to identify a Phase II dose. Then, they will track patients' responses to STX-721.
"We believe that STX-721 is more selective and can provide a wider therapeutic window than other therapies currently on the market or in development and, as a result, has the potential to deliver superior efficacy to this highly underserved patient population," Scorpion CEO Axel Hoos said in a statement.
In April, Scorpion and Pierre Fabre inked a deal to codevelop EGFR-targeting drugs including STX-721 and another agent, STX-241. Under the terms of that agreement, Pierre Fabre paid Scorpion $65 million upfront for the rights to commercialize the drugs in regions outside of the US, Canada, and Japan, while Scorpion maintained the rights to develop the drugs in those territories.