Ambit Announces Initiation Of Phase 2 Cohort In MD Anderson Sponsored Study Of Quizartinib In AML And High Risk MDS

SAN DIEGO, April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambit Biosciences (Nasdaq: AMBI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovery and development of drugs targeting unmet needs in oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory disease, today announced the initiation of the Phase 2 cohort of the MD Anderson Cancer Center-sponsored Phase 1/2 study of quizartinib in combination with either 5-azacitidine or low dose cytarabine for previously untreated FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients age 60 or older, or FLT3-ITD positive AML patients 18 years of age or older in first relapse.

The trial is being conducted under the principal direction of Jorge Cortes, M.D., of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.  Dr. Cortes is also the principal investigator of the upcoming Phase 3 QUANTUM-R trial, the Company's randomized trial comparing quizartinib to standard chemotherapy in FLT3-ITD positive AML patients over the age of 18 who have relapsed from, or are refractory to, frontline chemotherapy, including those patients relapsing following a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). 

"We are delighted to expand the clinical development of quizartinib to include a new combination of quizartinib with a hypomethylating agent, providing another therapeutic option for patients who would not typically receive standard chemotherapy," said Athena Countouriotis, chief medical officer at Ambit.

The Phase 2 cohort follows completion of the Phase 1 open-label, two-arm portion which included twelve total patients, six in each arm. Phase 1 included patients who were 18 years of age or older and who had relapsed AML or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and were treated with quizartinib in combination with either 5-azacitidine or cytarabine. Up to a total of 64 patients are planned to be treated in this clinical trial.  The regimen was found to be generally well tolerated, and there were no early mortalities.  Despite limited follow up, evidence of anti-leukemia activity has been observed in a number of patients. Full results, including data from the Phase 2 cohort, are expected to be submitted to a medical conference in 2014.

"Older patients with AML or high-risk MDS are often intolerant or unresponsive to standard treatments," said Dr. Cortes. "We are exploring this combination with the goal to improve the outcome of these patients, particularly those with FLT3 mutations, that otherwise have a very poor prognosis. The early results are very encouraging and opening the phase 2 portion of the study is an important step to further define the magnitude of the clinical efficacy of this approach."

About Quizartinib
Quizartinib is a once-daily, orally administered, potent and selective inhibitor of FLT3, a validated target in the treatment of AML.  It is currently in development for the treatment of both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory AML patients.  Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission have granted orphan drug designation to quizartinib for the treatment of AML. 

About Ambit Biosciences
Ambit is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs to treat unmet medical needs in oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by inhibiting kinases that are important drivers for those diseases. Ambit's lead drug candidate, quizartinib (AC220), is a once-daily, orally-administered potent and selective, inhibitor of FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) and is currently under clinical development in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in newly diagnosed AML patients in combination with chemotherapy as well as maintenance following a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In addition to quizartinib, Ambit's clinical pipeline includes AC410, an oral JAK2 inhibitor, and CEP-32496, a BRAF inhibitor licensed to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Ambit's preclinical portfolio includes a proprietary CSF1R inhibitor program.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the future development and therapeutic potential of quizartinib. These forward-looking statements are based upon Ambit's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. These and other risks concerning Ambit's programs are described in additional detail in Ambit's filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Ambit undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

SOURCE Ambit Biosciences