Kancera reports that clinical Phase I study has been completed in the Fractalkine project

Kancera AB (publ) reports that the Phase I study in the Fractalkine project has been completed in accordance with study protocols. In the study, drug characteristics, safety and tolerability have been documented for KAND567 in 62 healthy subjects. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate opportunities and limitations for the further development of this drug candidate.

All data will now be quality controlled, compiled and analyzed and according to the present plan, the results of the study are expected to be communicated in February 2018.

About the Fractalkine project
KAND567 is an orally available small molecule that blocks CX3CR1, the Fractalkine receptor. Fractalkine is an immune-modulating factor, a so-called chemokine, which transmits signals via the CX3CR1 receptor, thereby controlling the function of immune cells and cancer cells. The number of Fractalkine molecules and CX3CR1 receptors has been shown to be elevated in several inflammatory diseases, in cancer and in chronic pain conditions.

Kancera’s drug candidate KAND567 is the most advanced drug candidate against CX3CR1 and has been shown to be effective against inflammation and pain in multiple preclinical disease models.

In the healthy individual, Fractalkine and its receptor, CX3CR1, regulate migration of immune cells from the blood capillary wall into areas where the immune system is needed. In cancer, the tumor cells use the same system (CX3CR1 and Fractalkine) to invade healthy organs and form metastases. In addition, the presence of Fractalkine has been described to be associated with a lack of effect of immuno-oncological drugs. Against this background, Kancera is evaluating how well KAND567 can stop tumor growth.

Animal studies show that the Fractalkine receptor is not necessary for survival and that important immune functions remain intact despite the absence of the receptor. Effectively combating local inflammation while maintaining a well-functioning immune system in the patient is expected to provide the basis for successful development of KAND567.

In clinical trials, blocking of the Fractalkine system has been shown to have the desired effect against auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis in refractory cases. These studies have been conducted by the pharmaceutical company Eisai using a monoclonal antibody. The results of these studies indicate that the probability has increased for the Kancera AB drug candidate KAND567 to achieve clinical and commercial success as the first small-molecule drug that works through the Fractalkine system to combat many common diseases.

About Kancera AB
Kancera develops the basis for new therapeutics, starting with new treatment concepts and ending with the sale of a drug candidate to international pharmaceutical companies. Kancerais currently developing drugs for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors, by regulating the immune system, blocking survival signals in the cancer cell and on addressing cancer metabolism. Kancera’s operations are based in the Karolinska Institute Science Park in Stockholm and the company employs around 18 people. Kancera shares are traded on NASDAQ First North and the number of shareholders was more than 7500 as of September 29th, 2017. FNCA is Kancera’s Certified Adviser. Professor Carl-Henrik Heldin, Professor Håkan Mellstedt, and MD PhD Charlotte Edenius are board members and Kancera’s scientific advisers.

For further information contact,

Thomas Olin, CEO: +46-735-20 40 01

Address:
Kancera AB (publ)
Karolinska Institutet Science Park
Banvaktsvägen 22
SE 171 48 Solna

Visit our home page at: http://www.kancera.com

This is a translation from a Swedish press release Stockholm dated 2017-12-19