Description:

Vintafolide (EC145) delivers a very potent vinca chemotherapy directly to cancer cells by targeting the folate receptor expressed on cancer cells, but not on most normal cells. Approximately 80-90 percent of ovarian and lung cancers express the receptor, as do many other types of cancer.

Development Stage:

Endocyte has completed three single arm studies of vintafolide (EC145) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and solid tumors. Vintafolide (EC145) has also been evaluated in the PRECEDENT study, a randomized phase 2 trial comparing vintafolide (EC145) + DOXIL vs. DOXIL alone in women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. While this study has completed enrollment, a phase 3 study named PROCEED, also in women with platinum resistant ovarian cancer, is now accruing patients. Please click here for details.

Vintafolide (EC145) is also being used in our phase 2b study named TARGET, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is now accruing patients. Please click here for details.

Merck Partnership:

Endocyte and Merck entered into a partnership for vintafolide in April 2012. Under this partnership we granted Merck an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize vintafolide. We are responsible for conducting the PROCEED Phase 3 clinical study in women with platinum resistant ovarian cancer and the Phase 2b second line NSCLC study. Merck is responsible for further clinical studies in additional indications.