Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Tumor Response and Neuropathy Data from Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorec...( - Incremental Data to be Presented at...)

- Incremental Data to be Presented at ASCO GI Symposia Continue to Support Picoplatin as Neuropathy-Sparing Alternative to Oxaliplatin in First-Line Colorectal Cancer Treatment -

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PARD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative oncology therapies, today announced updated efficacy and safety data from its randomized, controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of picoplatin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Results continue to suggest that picoplatin, given once every four weeks in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLPI), is associated with less frequent and less severe neurotoxicity than oxaliplatin given in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in the modified FOLFOX-6 regimen (FOLFOX). Results also continue to indicate that both regimens have similar anti-tumor activity in first-line metastatic CRC. Net sales in 2007 in the US for Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) were approximately $1.3 billion.

"These new data continue to suggest that picoplatin is an active platinum agent in colorectal cancer, but without the significant neuropathy associated with currently marketed platinums," said Richard Goldberg, M.D., associate director of clinical research for the University of North Carolina Comprehensive Center and physician-in-chief of the N.C. Cancer Hospital. Dr. Goldberg also is a member of Poniard's Clinical Advisory Board. "Picoplatin may provide a neuropathy-sparing alternative to oxaliplatin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. I'm encouraged by the results, which could support additional trials."

Picoplatin, the Company's lead product candidate, is a new generation platinum-based chemotherapy agent with the potential to become a platform product addressing mult
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