Momenta Pancreatic Cancer Drug Given Orphan Designation

Momenta Pharmaceuticals announced that it has received orphan designation for its pancreatic cancer drug. The drug once called M402, is now referred to as necuparanib. The drug’s new orphan designation will allow Momenta to take advantage of several incentives during the drug’s development process as well as an extended seven year period for exclusive licensing if the drug is ultimately approved by the FDA.

Necuparanib is a heparin, which is a biologic molecule traditionally used to stop blood from clotting. Researchers have found that the molecule also has cancer fighting properties. Momenta’s researchers have stated that they have developed the molecule’s cancer fighting properties while limiting the anticoagulant ones, so that the drug can be used in higher doses without worries of blood thinning.

Currently, the drug is in a Phase 1/2 trial to treat patients with advanced metastatic pancreatic cancer. The drug is being used in combination with Abraxane and Gemzar. Gemzar was approved in 1998 and is marketed by Eli Lilly, while Abraxane was approved this past year and is marketed by Celgene. Researchers believe that trial’s results will help to determine the proper dosage for necuparanib. The company will then begin the second half of the study in order to determine the effectiveness of the drug against pancreatic cancer tumors.

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most dangerous forms of the disease, as it kills 75 percent of patients within the first year of diagnosis. It is difficult to detect early on, and it is also hard to get drugs into the pancreas. According to the Boston Business Journal, necuparanib’s orphan drug designation, which follows in the wake of good news about a successful late-stage cancer drug trial from Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, is a good step towards providing patients with better treatment options.