Escend to Present ES-3000 Study Results at EHS Annual Meeting

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 20, 2024: Escend Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held oncology company, recently announced initial data from the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group's (ALLG) Phase I/II platform study (MYDAS-T MDS05 domain 1) at the European Hematology Association (EHS) meeting in Madrid, Spain. This study evaluates the drug ES-3000, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with ASTX727.

The poster presentation, entitled "Combining oral Wnt/β-catenin/inflammasome pathway inhibitor, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (ES-3000), with oral decitabine/cedazuridine (ASTX727) as a treatment strategy for myelodysplasia," highlighted the initial findings of the trial. The primary objectives were to assess the safety profile of ES-3000 and establish the recommended phase 2 dose and dosing schedule when combined with decitabine/cedazuridine (ASTX727).

The study revealed promising results, indicating a 40% response rate among evaluable patients who were treated with ES-3000 alone. The dose-limiting toxicities identified through BION modeling facilitated the decision to proceed with dose escalation in the study.

ES-3000 is an investigational small molecule drug taken orally. It works by targeting the β-catenin and Calmodulin protein-dependent kinase II gamma (CamKIIγ) pathways to reduce leukemic stem cells. This drug is currently under development for treating myeloid malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Escend Pharmaceuticals follows a unique development strategy focused on selecting drug candidates that have established clinical safety profiles but have not yet received US marketing approval. The company aims to develop these candidates for oncology applications by leveraging new insights into their mechanisms of action, potentially leading to novel treatments.

The Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) is a prominent clinical trial organization based in Australia and New Zealand. Established in 1973, ALLG sponsors local investigator-initiated clinical trials and comprises over 1,300 blood cancer health professionals. These professionals, including haematologists, clinician researchers, scientists, and nurses, operate at 94 networked sites to treat various haematological malignancies, such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndromes. The organization is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through meticulously planned, executed, and published clinical trials.

The positive initial data from the ALLG's Phase I/II study of ES-3000, presented at the EHS meeting, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to develop effective treatments for myeloid malignancies. This collaboration between Escend Pharmaceuticals and ALLG underscores the potential of ES-3000 as a promising therapeutic option for patients, paving the way for further research and development in this critical area of oncology.