Medpacto to test cancer cell inhibitor

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Medpacto to test cancer cell inhibitor

Local biomedicine developer Medpacto has received the go-ahead from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical tests of a chemical inhibitor that has shown the promise of preventing the spread of liver, breast and gastric cancers.

Medpacto, a subsidiary of Theragen Etex, is attempting to commercialize research performed by a team at Ewha Womans University College of Pharmacy.

Kim Dae-kee, a professor at the school and the leader of the team, said clinical testing will begin on 50 American patients next month.

The chemical inhibitor, known as TEW-7197, has shown the potential to suppress factors that encourage the rapid cell growth that leads to the formation of tumors, as well as to boost immune cells. The substance also may be able to reduce the likelihood of diseases developing into cancer, said the company.

Patients also are less likely to develop resistance to chemical inhibitors such as TEW-7197. It can be used independently or in combination with other cancer drugs.

TEW-7197 could be approved for public use within five years.

BY KIM JI-YOON [jiyoon.kim@joongang.co.kr]




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