LONDON (Alliance News) - Midatech Pharma PLC said Friday it started the first in-human study of childhood brain cancer drug MTX110.
The study will be a combined phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trial in approximately 40 patients in San Francisco and New York.
MTX110 is used for the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a highly aggressive form of childhood brain cancer affecting up to 1,000 cases globally every year.
The phase 1 safety component of the study is expected to read out in the second half of 2019 and the phase 2 efficacy component is expected to read out in 2020.
Chief Executive Officer-designate Craig Cook said: "It is a testament to the strength and dedication of our team that, having only begun research work on this programme in 2015, this complex and novel potential therapy is now entering the clinic less than 30 months later.
"We are excited by MTX110's potential to make a difference to the children who suffer from DIPG and for whom the only existing therapeutic options are palliative."
Cook, who currently holds the role of chief operating officer, will replace Jim Phillips as CEO at the end of May.
Midatech Pharma shares were trading up 3.3% at 31.00 pence.