Independent DSMB recommends continuing clinical trial of Berubicin without modification
Enrollment expected to be complete in early Q1 2024
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 18, 2023 / CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNSP) (CNS or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel treatments for primary and metastatic cancers in the brain and central nervous system, today announced the recommendation of the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) that the Company's ongoing global, potentially pivotal trial of the investigational agent, Berubicin for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) continue without any modification. The recommendation follows the DSMB's pre-specified futility analysis of unblinded (to the DSMB only) efficacy and safety data in the Company's trial of Berubicin versus Lomustine, a standard of care in patients with recurrent GBM. More specifically, the DSMB reviewed the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) and secondary efficacy measures progression-free survival (PFF) and overall response rate (ORR), as well as safety data in evaluable patients. In order to support continuing the trial, Berubicin's efficacy had to be at least comparable to Lomustine's on the primary endpoint (OS).
"Having successfully reached this milestone, we believe that this recommendation reflects Berubicin's acceptable efficacy and safety profile, as defined in the trial protocol, as of the interim analysis. Building on the foundation of strong enrollment laid by our team, our investigators and their patients, the independent findings of the DSMB add to the Phase 1 trial data, where 44% of treated patients received a clinical benefit of stable disease or better," said John Climaco, CEO of CNS Pharma. "Finding an effective treatment for GBM remains one of the great challenges in oncology, and more meaningful options for the many patients who fail first-line therapy are still desperately needed after decades of research. With this recommendation to continue the study, our long-held belief that Berubicin will ultimately address the unmet clinical need of GBM patients now moves closer to becoming reality."
The potentially pivotal study of Berubicin is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study in adult patients with recurrent GBM (WHO Grade IV) after failure of standard first-line therapy and compared to Lomustine. Overall Survival is a rigorous endpoint that the FDA has recognized as the basis for approval of oncology drugs when a statistically significant improvement can be shown relative to a randomized control arm.
For more information about this trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT04762069.
The FDA has granted CNS Pharmaceuticals Fast Track Designation for Berubicin, which enables more frequent interactions with the agency for guidance on expediting the development and review process. Additionally, the Company has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for using Berubicin to treat malignant glioma, which may provide seven years of marketing exclusivity upon approval of a New Drug Application (NDA).
About Berubicin
Berubicin is an anthracycline, a class of anticancer agents that are among the most powerful chemotherapy drugs and effective against more types of cancer than any other class of chemotherapeutic agents. Anthracyclines are designed to utilize natural processes to induce deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in targeted cancer cells by interfering with the action of topoisomerase II, a critical enzyme enabling cell proliferation. Berubicin treatment of brain cancer patients appeared to demonstrate positive responses that include one durable complete response in a Phase 1 human clinical trial conducted by Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Berubicin was developed by Dr. Waldemar Priebe, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
About CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CNS Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of anti-cancer drug candidates for the treatment of primary and metastatic cancers of the brain and central nervous system. The Company's lead drug candidate, Berubicin, is a novel anthracycline and the first anthracycline to appear to cross the blood-brain barrier. Berubicin is currently in development for the treatment of a number of serious brain and CNS oncology indications including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
For more information, please visit www.CNSPharma.com, and connect with the Company on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the Company's timing of the final analysis, the ability to complete enrollment and the timing thereof, and the ability to commercialize the product even if the trial is successful. These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although CNS believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. CNS has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in CNS's most recently filed Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and updated from time to time in its Form 10-Q filings and in its other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of its date. CNS undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CONTACTS:
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SOURCE: CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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