Clal Biotechnology Industries Ltd. (TASE: CBI) portfolio company CureTech Ltd. today announced that the first patient has begun treatment in the Phase II clinical trial of the company's treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma (specifically, relapsed follicular lymphoma). The trial is being conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston.
CureTech's drug, CT-011, is being given in combination with Rituximab, an antibody that targets the CD20 protein found in lymphomas, developed by Biogen Idec Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB). The trial will include 30 patients altogether, and CureTech expects all the patients will be recruited within two years.
CureTech is also continuing the Phase II clinical trial of CT-011 for the treatment of hematological malignancies and colon cancer, and the Phase I/II clinical trial of the drug for Hepatitis C and liver cancer.
CBI is the biotech investment arm of Nochi Dankner-controlled IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. (TASE:IDBH), which owns 42% of CureTech. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) invested $10 million in CureTech in August.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 28, 2010
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