Millennium Advances Cancer Program

Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has made two significant advancements in its Aurora A kinase program. The company achieved positive preliminary results from a Phase I study of MLN8054, a first-in-class small molecule to the Aurora A kinase. Also, the company has initiated a new Phase I program for MLN8237, a second-generation Aurora A kinase inhibitor.

Aurora A kinases are required for cancer cells to divide and create tumors. In preclinical models, the inhibition of Aurora A kinases has been shown to stop the proliferation of the cells and reduce tumor growth. Aurora A kinases have been shown to be over-expressed in a variety of cancers.

“The preliminary results from the MLN8054 Phase I study validate the potential of our product candidates in this exciting area,” said Nancy Simonian, M.D., chief medical officer, Millennium. “Building on our early experience with MLN8054 and our enhanced understanding of the biology and chemistry of the Aurora A kinase, we have engineered MLN8237, with expectations for even better efficacy and tolerability.”