Curis, Genentech File IND For Cancer Drug

Curis, Inc. and Genentech have filed an IND application with the FDA to initiate Phase I testing of a systemically administered small molecule Hedgehog antagonist for the treatment of cancer.

Under the terms of the June 2003 collaboration agreement, Genentech will pay Curis $3 million cash after filing the IND application. Should this small molecule drug candidate progress successfully through development and gain regulatory approval, Curis will be eligible to receive additional cash payments. Curis would also receive royalties on any product sales.

“We believe that the IND filing demonstrates Genentech’s continued interest in the importance of the Hedgehog pathway as a potential therapy for the treatment of various cancers,” said Curis president and chief executive officer Dan Passeri. “We’re extremely pleased that our Hedgehog antagonist collaboration with Genentech has produced a clinical candidate for systemic administration and we are looking forward to working with Genentech in seeking to advance the drug candidate through the clinic. Cancer is a serious healthcare challenge in the U.S., and we are hopeful that our Hedgehog antagonist technologies will one day provide an effective treatment for a variety of cancers.”