TRACON Pharmaceuticals Announces TRC105 Clinical Trials, Abstract Presentations at 2013 ASCO Annual Meeting

SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TRACON Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company that develops targeted therapies for oncology and ophthalmology, today announced multiple clinical investigations for TRC105 and the presentation of two abstracts at the 49^th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), held May 31 to June 4 in Chicago. TRC105, a novel monoclonal antibody to endoglin (CD105), is being studied in multiple clinical trials in combination with agents that target the VEGF pathway. 

In collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), TRACON has initiated two randomized Phase 2b studies to evaluate TRC105 in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin®) in metastatic kidney cancer and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Data is expected from both studies in the second half of 2014. In addition, TRACON has recently initiated a Phase 2 study of TRC105 in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma that has progressed on Avastin alone.

"Based on the data from our Phase 1b study of TRC105 in combination with Avastin, which we will discuss later this month at ASCO, we are proceeding forward with an aggressive clinical development plan for TRC105," said Charles Theuer, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of TRACON.  "Combining TRC105 with Avastin in these three clinical studies provides the mechanism to advance the care for cancer patients in multiple indications. We are also initiating trials of TRC105 in combination with oral VEGF Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors this summer."

At the ASCO Annual Meeting, data from two clinical studies of TRC105 will be presented in the Developmental Therapeutics – Immunology portion of the general poster session in S Hall A2 from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. CDT on Monday, June 3.

Lee S. Rosen, M.D., of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, will present abstract #3059, titled "A Phase Ib Dose-Escalation Study of TRC105 (anti-endoglin antibody) in combination with bevacizumab for advanced solid tumors." 

Ellis Glenn Levine, M.D., of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, will present abstract #3057, titled "A Phase Ib Dose-Escalation Study of TRC105 (anti-endoglin antibody) in combination with capecitabine for advanced solid tumors (including patients with progressive or recurrent HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer). "

About TRC105

TRC105 is a novel, first-in-class, clinical stage antibody to endoglin (CD105), an endothelial cell receptor that is essential for the process of new blood vessel formation called angiogenesis.  TRC105 is currently being studied in multiple clinical trials in cancer patients, sponsored by both TRACON and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) and is expected to complement VEGF inhibitor therapies (including Avastin®).  For more information about the clinical trials, please visit TRACON's website at http://www.traconpharma.com/clinical_trials.php.

About TRACON

TRACON Pharmaceuticals develops targeted therapies for people with cancer and age-related macular degeneration. The current pipeline includes two clinical-stage product candidates, each addressing a unique cellular process, that are expected to complement currently available therapies. TRACON aims to develop effective and well-tolerated treatments for underserved populations with the ultimate goal of enhancing survival and quality of life.  To learn more about the company and its products, visit TRACON's website at www.traconpharma.com.

SOURCE TRACON Pharmaceuticals