Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Awarded NIH Contract to Investigate a Novel Radiation Sensitizer in GI Cancers
Rockville, MD (PRWEB) December 31, 2014 -- SHUTTLE Pharmaceuticals, a privately held company, today announced it has been awarded a “fast-track” Phase I/II contract #HHSN261201400013C by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under its Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) program. The $ 1.62 million contract will fund the initial development of IPdR (5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2’-deoxyribose), a prodrug of the radiation sensitizer IUdR (5-iodo-2’-deoxyuridine). The contract is to determine the scientific merit, feasibility and potential for commercialization of oral IPdR for use as a radiation sensitizer for the treatment of rectal cancers. The NIH contract provides funds to cover a portion of the costs for initiating a Phase I trial in GI cancers and development of companion diagnostics for analyzing clinical specimens from Phase I patients.
"We believe there is considerable need for improvement in the treatment of rectal cancers with radiation, and a novel radiation sensitizer represents a clinical and commercial opportunity," said Anatoly Dritschilo, MD and CEO of Shuttle Pharmaceuticals. "We are excited to receive this funding from the NIH and to partner with Dr. Timothy Kinsella and the Brown University Oncology Group to advance IPdR as a radiation sensitizer."
The NIH awards SBIR grants for research on a competitive basis. Innovation and the potential for commercialization are among the important factors included in the review criteria used in the scientific and technical merit evaluation process. The Phase I SBIR awards are used for testing proof of concept and Phase II SBIR awards advance drug candidates to the clinical testing.
About Radiation Sensitizers
Radiation sensitizers are drugs used in combination with radiation as the mainstay for treatment of rectal cancers and other solid tumors in combinations with surgery. The goal is to enhance the toxic effects of radiation on cancer cells while staying within normal tissue radiation tolerances. Various drugs and biologic agents are currently used off label as radiation sensitizers, supporting an unmet need for new approaches and agents.
About the Company
SHUTTLE Pharmaceuticals, LLC, based in Rockville, MD, is a drug discovery and development company with the founding objective to develop and commercialize cancer radiation modifying agents, including sensitizers, protectors and mitigators of radiation effects. Shuttle research laboratories are located in Germantown, Maryland. Further information about SHUTTLE can be found at http://www.shuttlepharma.com.
The information contained in this press release, including any forward-looking statements contained herein, should be reviewed in conjunction with other publicly available information regarding the company. Such publicly available information sets forth many risks and uncertainties related to the Company's business and such statements, including risks and uncertainties related to drug development and clinical trials. The Company's receipt of an SBIR award intended to establish proof of concept of a potential treatment for radiation sensitization in cancer treatment should not imply that the company's research will be successful. Final review decisions made by the NIH, FDA and other regulatory agencies concerning our research are unpredictable and outside of the influence and/or control of the Company.
Carl Schmidt, Shuttle Pharmaceuticals, LLC, +1 8478560611, [email protected]
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