Esperance Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Run-in Enrollment of Phase 2 Study of EP-100 Plus Paclitaxel in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Esperance Pharmaceuticals today announced the completion of the run-in cohort of its Phase 2, randomized, multi‐center trial of EP‑100 in combination with paclitaxel for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. EP‐100 is a targeted membrane‐disrupting peptide (tMDP) designed to seek and destroy cancer cells that over‐express luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors on their surfaces. LHRH receptors are over‐expressed in a wide range of cancers including ovarian cancer. In June, the Company presented results from the successful completion of a Phase 1 study of EP‑100 in advanced solid tumors at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

"We are pleased with the continued momentum behind EP‑100 and the progress of enrollment as we begin the randomized treatment phase," said Dr. Hector Alila, CEO of Esperance. "We are encouraged with early results, and look forward to accelerating enrollment in a very important, underserved patient population and providing an update on the clinical progress over time."

The randomized, Phase 2 trial of EP‑100 in combination with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone in patients with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian carcinomas expressing LHRH‐receptors is actively enrolling patients in key clinical sites across the United States. Rationale for the study is based on the positive clinical evidence from escalating doses in 38 patients in the Phase 1 study and on preclinical studies showing synergies between EP‑100 and various chemotherapeutic agents.

About EP‑100

EP‑100, the lead candidate from Esperance's Cationic Lytic Peptide (CLYP™) platform technology, is a targeted membrane‐disrupting peptide (tMDP) designed to seek and destroy cancer cells that overexpress luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors on their surfaces. LHRH receptors are over‐expressed in a wide range of cancers including breast, prostate, endometrial, pancreatic, ovarian, blood, skin and testicular cancers. Results from pre‐clinical studies of EP‑100 have shown that the drug regresses established tumors in breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancer xenografts in mice.

About Esperance Pharmaceuticals

Esperance Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical stage company developing a new class of targeted anticancer drugs using its Cationic Lytic Peptide (CLYP™) platform technology. These drug candidates, called targeted membrane‐disrupting peptides (tMDPs) and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) selectively seek and destroy cancer cells, including cells known to be resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs, without harming normal cells. Targeting occurs through binding to specific receptors and antigens on the cell's surface. The Company was founded on patented technology discovered by scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the Louisiana State (LSU) Ag Center and LSU main campus. Founding investors include the Louisiana Fund I, Themelios Ventures and Research Corporation Technologies. Additional investors include Sanofi, Advantage Capital Partners, Louisiana Technology Fund and private investors. More information can be found at www.esperancepharma.com.

SOURCE Esperance Pharmaceuticals, Inc.