CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2014--
Verastem, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSTM), focused on discovering and developing
drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells,
today announced its support of the rare disease awareness events being
held globally. Verastem’s lead compound targeting cancer stem cells,
VS-6063, is currently in the registration-directed COMMAND study and has
been granted orphan drug designation in the U.S. and E.U. for use in
mesothelioma.
Researchers, advocates, patients and companies will come together with a
reception and presentation to be held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in
Birmingham, England. Boston-based pharmaceutical companies will unite
with a coalition of local Massachusetts-based patient advocacy groups
and state legislators at the Massachusetts State House in recognition of
Rare Disease Day. This event is being coordinated by the National
Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD), which includes patients and
patient groups, biopharmaceutical companies, government agencies,
caregivers, and medical researchers. There are many events occurring
globally to work towards a united front in addressing the significant
need in rare diseases.
Verastem is committed to working with patient advocacy groups that
support rare cancers worldwide. On March 5, Professor Dean Fennell,
Chair of Thoracic Oncology, University of Leicester, incoming President
of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group and Principal
Investigator of the COMMAND trial, will deliver the keynote presentation
at the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, hosted by the
Meso Foundation, in Washington, D.C.
The COMMAND (Control Of Mesothelioma with MAiNtenance Defactinib) study
is a registration-directed, multinational, placebo-controlled trial of
Verastem’s lead cancer stem cell inhibitor, VS-6063, in patients with
malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive
cancer with limited treatment options. Verastem has been granted orphan
drug status for VS-6063 for the treatment of mesothelioma.
In addition to Professor Fennell’s address, Verastem representatives
will present at the conference in support of the company’s mission to
foster research, patient advocacy and legislative initiatives for
improved treatment in mesothelioma. The Meso Foundation is organizing a
legislative walk-up session to the houses of Congress for March 5th,2014 in Washington, D.C.
“The heightened awareness presented by these rare disease events reminds
us that, although these illnesses affect smaller patient populations,
effective treatments remain an acute global health need,” said Robert
Forrester, Verastem President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are
developing drugs to treat diseases where there is a significant unmet
medical need and bringing forth new treatment options for patients. We
are committed to fostering the development of potentially life-changing
medicines in the pursuit of a more optimistic and positive outcome for
patients.”
About VS-6063
VS-6063 (defactinib) is an orally available compound designed to target
cancer stem cells through the potent inhibition of focal adhesion kinase
(FAK). Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor resistance to
chemotherapy, recurrence and ultimate disease progression. Research by
Robert Weinberg, Ph.D., scientific cofounder and chair of Verastem’s
Scientific Advisory Board, and Verastem has demonstrated that the FAK
pathway is critical for the growth and survival of cancer stem cells.
VS-6063 is currently being studied in the registration-directed COMMAND
trial in mesothelioma (www.COMMANDmeso.com),
a Phase 1/1b study in combination with paclitaxel for patients with
ovarian cancer, a Phase 1 study in Japan in patients with advanced solid
tumors and a Phase 2 trial in patients with Kras-mutated non-small cell
lung cancer. VS-6063 has been granted orphan drug designation in the
U.S. and E.U. for use in mesothelioma.
About Verastem, Inc.
Verastem, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSTM) is discovering and developing drugs to
treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer
stem cells. Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor
recurrence and metastasis. Verastem is developing small molecule
inhibitors of signaling pathways that are critical to cancer stem cell
survival and proliferation: FAK, PI3K/mTOR and Wnt. For more
information, please visit www.verastem.com.
Forward-looking statements:
This press release includes forward-looking statements about the
Company’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements
regarding the development of the Company’s compounds, including VS-6063,
or defactinib, the Company’s FAK inhibition program and potential
indications for clinical development. The words “anticipate,” “appear,”
“believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,”
“project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,”
“continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements
contain these identifying words. Each forward-looking statement is
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement.
Applicable risks and uncertainties include the risks that the
preclinical testing of the Company’s compounds and preliminary data from
clinical trials may not be predictive of the results or success of
ongoing or later clinical trials, that data may not be available when we
expect it to be, that the Company will be unable to successfully
complete the clinical development of its compounds, including VS-6063,
that the development of the Company’s compounds will take longer or cost
more than planned, and that the Company’s compounds will not receive
regulatory approval or become commercially successful products. Other
risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading “Risk
Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2012 and in any subsequent SEC filings. The forward-looking
statements contained in this release reflect the Company’s current views
with respect to future events, and the Company does not undertake and
specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements.
Source: Verastem, Inc.
Verastem, Inc.
Brian Sullivan, 617-252-9314
bsullivan@verastem.com
