Aravive Biologics begins Phase 1 Clinical Trial of AVB-S6-500

Clinical-stage biotechnology company, Aravive Biologics, Inc aiming to focus on development of treatments for Cancer and fibrotic diseases declared the commencement of  Phase 1 clinical trial of AVB-S6-500 (previously referred to as Aravive-S6). The study is being conducted in the US evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in approximately 40 healthy volunteers.

Gail McIntyre Ph.D., Senior Vice President of R&D at Aravive said “Extensive research by Aravive and others has shown the GAS6-AXL signaling pathway to be an important target in oncology, whose inhibition has the potential to overcome tumor resistance and increase the efficacy of a variety of anticancer agents.”

AVB-S6-500 is a novel biologic that is designed to bind GAS6 with high affinity and neutralize its activity. Research has shown GAS6-AXL signaling to be a key molecular pathway that scientists believe promotes tumor growth and metastasis, as well as tumor immune evasion and resistance to other anticancer agents. AXL and GAS6 expression correlate with poor prognosis in cancer and are thought by many experts to be attractive targets for cancer therapy. In preclinical studies.

Stephen L. Eck M.D. Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer of Aravive said “Given the availability of our proprietary biomarker, the company hopes to establish the proof-of-mechanism for this first-in-class drug candidate as well as safety in Phase 1 clinical studies by demonstrating full target engagement and inhibition of GAS6 in the clinic.”