Imago BioSciences Doses First Patients in the Phase 2a Portion of the Study of IMG-7289 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

SAN CARLOS, Calif., July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Imago BioSciences, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel anti-cancer therapies, announced today that the first patients have been dosed in the Phase 2a portion of their clinical trial of IMG-7289 for the treatment of high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).  The company recently completed the Phase 1 multiple ascending dose portion of the study assessing the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of IMG-7289.  IMG-7289, an inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 1, is an orally available, once-daily treatment for myeloid diseases.  The Phase 2a component of the study assesses the safety and pharmacodynamic effects of IMG-7289 in combination with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA).  In non-clinical models, IMG-7289 in combination with ATRA demonstrated potent and synergistic anti-tumor activity against neoplastic myeloid cells, especially AML cells.

"Rational combinations of agents that exert synergistic effects against neoplastic cells have been the foundation of successful oncologic treatments. A key aspect of our development strategy is to clinically test the combination of our molecule IMG-7289 and other agents that show the greatest promise in non-clinical studies.  ATRA was the most compelling molecule to combine with IMG-7289," said Hugh Young Rienhoff, Jr. M.D., Imago's Chief Executive Officer. 

With the enrollment of 19 patients leading to the completion of the Phase 1 portion, up to 20 patients may now enroll in the Phase 2a component of the study evaluating the safety and anti-tumor activity of IMG-7289 in combination with ATRA.  The study is being conducted at five sites in Australia (www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT02842827).

About IMG-7289

IMG-7289 is a small molecule developed by Imago BioSciences that inhibits lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1 or KDM1A), an enzyme shown to be vital in cancer stem cells. In non-clinical studies, IMG-7289 demonstrated robust in vivo anti-tumor efficacy across a range of myeloid malignancies as a single agent and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.  IMG-7289 is an investigational agent currently being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT02842827 and NCT03136185).  

About Imago BioSciences

Imago BioSciences is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, funded by Clarus Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Partners, Amgen Ventures, and MRL Ventures Fund.  Imago is focused on discovering and developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics.  These include a range of hematologic malignancies including AML, MDS and the myeloproliferative neoplasms. The company is based in California.    

Please see the website at www.imagobio.com for additional information.

SOURCE Imago BioSciences

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