ALS-357

ALS-357 is a natural product we are developing that has demonstrated specific anti-tumor activity against malignant melanoma. ALS-357 has shown promise in both in vivo and in vitro preclinical studies. In preclinical animal studies, ALS-357 has been shown to concentrate in tumors, resulting in rapid tumor regression with no observable toxicity to the animal even at high doses. In addition, preclinical studies have shown that direct injection of ALS-357 into grafted human tumors induced apoptosis, or programmed cell death, within the tumors. We have an exclusive worldwide license from the University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, to develop and commercialize ALS-357 for the treatment of malignant melanoma, and we believe that ALS-357 exhibits several competitive advantages over currently available treatments including:

• ALS-357 displays impressive activity in animal models against apoptosis-resistant melanoma tumors;
• ALS-357 exhibits low toxicity in animal models; and
• ALS-357 is relatively simple to manufacture.

 

ALS-423
We are currently developing ALS-423, a novel cancer therapeutic, through preclinical testing. This proprietary product belongs to a class of indolocarbazoles and has demonstrated in vitro potency and efficacy. It is a Topoisomerase I (Topo I) inhibitor that may reduce the serious side effects observed with currently marketed Topo I inhibitors. Topo I is a protein that represents a promising target for the development of new cancer chemotherapeutic agents against a number of solid tumors. Development of anti-Topo I agents offers a new approach to the multi-regimental arsenal of therapies currently used in the clinic for the treatment of cancer. A significant need exists for new drugs that both improve the potency of the first generation Topo I inhibitors and/or minimize the drug-associated side effects.