VetDC, Inc. Acquires Novel, Targeted Anti-Cancer Drug from Pathway Therapeutics, Inc.

FORT COLLINS, Colo.--()--VetDC, Inc., today announced that the company has acquired from Pathway Therapeutics, Inc. all rights to Pathway’s investigational class of anti-cancer molecules, including PWT33597 (renamed as VDC-597) and its backup compounds. VDC-597 is a novel, orally available, targeted agent that selectively blocks both PI3-Kinase (PI3K) alpha and mTOR proteins, leading to the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and cell death. Preclinical cancer studies have shown that inhibiting both of these molecular targets is more effective than inhibiting either target alone.

VDC-597 has excellent selectivity, with negligible activity against other protein kinases. In preclinical cancer models, VDC-597 achieved good distribution into tumors, robust target inhibition and excellent suppression of tumor growth. VDC-597 has promising oral drug properties and a safety profile in dogs that make it a highly attractive drug candidate for use as both a single agent and in combination therapy to treat a number of dog cancers.

"This acquisition firmly establishes VetDC as one of the premier anti-cancer companies in animal health,” stated Steven J. Roy, President and CEO of VetDC. “Our high-science approach has enabled us to access another novel, targeted anti-cancer agent with extensive data and further validates our model of adapting innovative human technologies for use in companion animals.”

Oral administration of VDC-597 has been evaluated both in animal studies and in a phase I human clinical trial. VDC-597 demonstrated significant blood concentrations and bioactivity in both dogs and people at well-tolerated doses. These results suggest VDC-597 could be an important new therapeutic option for animals suffering from certain cancers, including osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma lymphoma and solid tumors. Cancer is considered the leading killer of adult pets today.

About VetDC, Inc.

VetDC is a cancer-focused veterinary biopharmaceutical company developing innovative, underutilized human technologies for use in companion animals. In 2011, VetDC obtained North American rights to VDC-1101, a novel anti-cancer pro-drug from Gilead Sciences for use in animal cancer. For more information on VetDC, please visit www.vet-dc.com.

About Pathway Therapeutics, Inc.

Pathway Therapeutics is a privately held pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of next generation PI3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Pathway Therapeutics is located in San Francisco, CA and can be found online at www.pathwaytx.com.

Contacts

VetDC, Inc.
Steven J. Roy, 303-859-2072
President & CEO
media@vet-dc.com

Release Summary

VetDC, Inc. acquired from Pathway Therapeutics, Inc. all rights to Pathway’s investigational class of novel, anti-cancer molecules targeting PI3K-alpha/mTOR proteins for development in animal cancer.

Contacts

VetDC, Inc.
Steven J. Roy, 303-859-2072
President & CEO
media@vet-dc.com