China-focused DelMar to update on oncology candidate VAL-083 for pediatric tumors

U.S. biotech DelMar Pharmaceuticals ($DMPI) is ready to present a new indication for oncology candidate VAL-083, targeting pediatric brain tumors as it works to expand potential for a drug now approved in China for CML and lung cancer.

The abstract presentation will be made at the American Association for Cancer Research Advances in Pediatric Research conference Nov. 9-12 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, drawing on earlier clinical trial work that was sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute and DelMar's recent research, the company said in a release.

As well, VAL-083 has received orphan drug designation in Europe and the U.S. for the treatment of gliomas, the company said.

DelMar is currently conducting a China Phase IV trial of VAL-083 to treat patients with refractory and relapsed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with China's Guangxi Wuzhou Pharmaceuticals after approval by the China FDA, the company said in September.

The trial will test whether the candidate is effective against TKI-resistant NSCLC. "The study will enroll up to 20 adult patients with NSCLC in an open-label post market Phase IV clinical trial to investigate the activity of VAL-083 in NSCLC patients who have failed standard platinum doublet therapy," DelMar said in an earlier release, adding that Guangxi Wuzhou will fund the VAL-083 clinical research in China and DelMar is responsible for management of the clinical trials.

- here's the release