Kazia Therapeutics Announces Progress on Paxalisib After FDA Discusses Regulatory Pathways
Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA), a company centered on oncology drug development, has recently provided insights into the regulatory pathway for its investigational drug, paxalisib, following a Type C meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This meeting comes after Kazia's announcement in July 2024 regarding promising topline results from the GBM-AGILE study, specifically focused on newly diagnosed unmethylated glioblastoma (NDU) patients treated with paxalisib. In this study, patients experienced a clinically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to conventional treatment methods.
The encouraging data prompted Kazia to seek a discussion with the FDA to explore possible clinical and regulatory options. The feedback received from the FDA has clarified that while OS data may not suffice for accelerated approval, it is supportive for a standard approval pathway. This indicates a cautious yet constructive attitude from the FDA toward the approval process of paxalisib.
Following this guidance, Kazia’s team has aligned with the FDA on several crucial aspects related to the design of a pivotal Phase 3 study. This includes determining the appropriate patient population, primary endpoints, and the comparator arm that will be utilized in the trial.
Kazia Therapeutics’ CEO, Dr. John Friend, expressed gratitude for the FDA's constructive suggestions, noting that the feedback adds clarity regarding the registration pathway for paxalisib, particularly for treating patients with NDU glioblastoma. Dr. Friend believes that the GBM-AGILE trial results provide sufficient evidence suggesting a clinically meaningful efficacy signal that warrants further investigation in a larger pivotal study.
In addition to the gioblastoma focus, Kazia is continuing its research into paxalisib across several significant other indications such as pediatric brain cancer and brain metastases. The company has secured Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations for two specific types of pediatric brain cancers, further enhancing its clinical development agenda. Their most recent presentations at prominent forums, such as the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, highlighted synergies found between paxalisib and immunotherapy treatments for cancers driven by specific mutations in the PI3K pathway.
As Kazia evaluates its strategic direction regarding NDU glioblastoma, it is also enhancing the development of its secondary drug, EVT801, which targets VEGFR3. Preliminary studies indicate EVT801's potential across various tumor types and its promising synergy with immuno-oncology therapies. A Phase I clinical trial has already been completed, with encouraging data shared at a major cancer research symposium.
Looking ahead, Kazia Therapeutics is navigating several options to potentially maximize shareholder value, with a comprehensive outline expected by the end of January 2025. Kazia, founded in Sydney, Australia, continues to build on its legacy of innovative treatments aimed at brain cancers, driven by a combination of extensive research and promising clinical trial outcomes. For further insights into their development efforts and ongoing initiatives, visit www.kaziatherapeutics.com or follow them on social media at @KaziaTx.