Sustained Therapeutics Enrolls First Cancer Trial Patient

VANCOUVER, BC, June 24, 2024 - The groundbreaking Phase II/III trial of ST-02, an innovative cancer medication developed by Sustained Therapeutics, has officially commenced with the enrollment of its first patient. This new treatment targets Upper Tract Urethral Carcinoma (UTUC), a rare and difficult-to-treat form of cancer affecting over 7,000 individuals annually in North America. UTUC develops in the lining of the kidney’s collecting system and the ureter, making it hard to access and effectively remove using conventional laser resection techniques.

Dr. Peter Black, the lead investigator of the clinical trial and a Senior Research Scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, highlighted the significance of this development. "This is a major step forward in the treatment of UTUC," Dr. Black stated. "Currently, we have limited treatment options for this uncommon and challenging cancer, and this approach may allow better disease control without necessitating the removal of a kidney."

The clinical trial, which has started at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, is set to expand to five additional sites. Sustained Therapeutics plans to enroll approximately 75 patients in this combined Phase II/III trial. The company also anticipates that ST-02 may receive orphan drug designation, which could offer benefits such as tax credits, exemption from user fees, and seven years of market exclusivity post-approval.

Sustained Therapeutics’ ST-02 is a sustained-release chemotherapy formulation designed for direct delivery to the carcinoma site via a catheter. Utilizing the company’s proprietary platform technology, the medication is released slowly over a span of about 24 hours, directly coating the affected tissue. This method ensures higher concentrations of chemotherapy at the site for a longer duration compared to current treatments, potentially offering greater effectiveness and fewer side effects.

Dr. Martin Gleave, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Sustained Therapeutics and a Distinguished Professor in the UBC Department of Urologic Sciences, underscored the importance of ST-02 reaching Phase II trials. "ST-02 is Sustained Therapeutic's second product to reach Phase II trials, demonstrating our capability to develop multiple products using our novel drug delivery platforms," he said. "This new therapeutic, designed specifically for UTUC, could address a significant unmet need for patients. It's an exciting time to be involved in this work."

Sustained Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company that leverages its advanced research expertise to develop novel sustained-release drug delivery platforms. Its first product, ST-01, is a non-opioid locally injected therapeutic for pain treatment, currently undergoing two Phase II trials. As a spin-off from the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Prostate Centre, Sustained Therapeutics has the potential to enable sustained release treatments for various conditions, including cancer and inflammatory diseases.

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