Panbela Announces First Patient Enrolled in South Korea for ASPIRE Trial Studying Ivospemin (SBP-101) in Combination with Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Rhea-AI Summary

Panbela Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PBLA) announced the enrollment of its first patient in South Korea for the ASPIRE trial, aimed at treating metastatic pancreatic cancer. This global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will evaluate ivospemin with standard chemotherapy agents gemcitabine and nab-Paclitaxel. The study plans to involve approximately 95 sites across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and South Korea, targeting an interim analysis in early 2024. The ivospemin drug has previously shown improved survival rates compared to current treatments, making this trial crucial for advancing treatment options.

Positive

• Enrollment of first patient in South Korea for ASPIRE trial.
• Ivospemin shows median overall survival of 14.6 months in previous studies, exceeding standard treatments.
• Approximately 95 sites planned for the ASPIRE trial, enhancing study reach.

Negative

• Dependence on successful site initiation and enrollment to meet trial timelines.
• Risks related to obtaining regulatory approval for ivospemin and other product candidates.

MINNEAPOLIS, March 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBLA), a clinical stage company developing disruptive therapeutics for the treatment of patients with urgent unmet medical needs, today announced its first patient enrolled in South Korea for its ASPIRE global clinical trial in the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. ASPIRE is a global randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate ivospemin in combination with gemcitabine and nab-Paclitaxel in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Detailed information on the trial can be located at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05254171 .

“We’re really excited to continue the Country and site initiation for the ASPIRE trial as we aim to have the full complement of sites on board by the middle of this year,” said Jennifer K. Simpson, PhD, MSN, CRNP, President & Chief Executive Officer of Panbela. “Having South Korean enrollment underway is highly encouraging as we continue to ramp up the trial. We’re targeting the interim analysis in early 2024.”

With approximately 95 sites planned throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and South Korea, Panbela is continuing to focus on site initiation and enrollment to ultimately deliver a more effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, a deadly disease with few treatment options. 

About Panbela’s Pipeline

The pipeline consists of assets currently in clinical trials with an initial focus on familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, neoadjuvant pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer prevention and ovarian cancer. The combined development programs have a steady cadence of catalysts with programs ranging from pre-clinical to registration studies.

Ivospemin (SBP-101)

Ivospemin is a proprietary polyamine analogue designed to induce polyamine metabolic inhibition (PMI) by exploiting an observed high affinity of the compound for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and other tumors. It has shown signals of tumor growth inhibition in clinical studies of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, demonstrating a median overall survival (OS) of 14.6 months and an objective response rate (ORR) of 48%, both exceeding what is typical for the standard of care of gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel suggesting potential complementary activity with the existing FDA-approved standard chemotherapy regimen. In data evaluated from clinical studies to date, ivospemin has not shown exacerbation of bone marrow suppression and peripheral neuropathy, which can be chemotherapy-related adverse events. Serious visual adverse events have been evaluated and patients with a history of retinopathy or at risk of retinal detachment will be excluded from future SBP-101 studies. The safety data and PMI profile observed in the previous Panbela-sponsored clinical trials provide support for continued evaluation of ivospemin in the ASPIRE trial.

Flynpovi ™

Flynpovi is a combination of CPP-1X (eflornithine) and sulindac with a dual mechanism inhibiting polyamine synthesis and increase polyamine export and catabolism. In a Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with sporadic large bowel polyps, the combination prevented > 90% subsequent pre-cancerous sporadic adenomas versus placebo. Focusing on FAP patients with lower gastrointestinal tract anatomy in the recent Phase 3 trial comparing Flynpovi to single agent eflornithine and single agent sulindac, FAP patients with lower GI anatomy (patients with an intact colon, retained rectum or surgical pouch), Flynpovi showed statistically significant benefit compared to both single agents (p≤0.02) in delaying surgical events in the lower GI for up to four years. The safety profile for Flynpovi did not significantly differ from the single agents and supports the continued evaluation of Flynpovi for FAP.

CPP-1X

CPP-1X (eflornithine) is being developed as a single agent tablet or high dose power sachet for several indications including prevention of gastric cancer, treatment of neuroblastoma and recent onset Type 1 diabetes. Preclinical studies as well as Phase 1 or Phase 2 investigator-initiated trials suggest that CPP-1X treatment may be well-tolerated and has potential activity.

About Panbela

Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing disruptive therapeutics for patients with urgent unmet medical needs. Panbela’s lead assets are Ivospemin (SBP-101) and Flynpovi. Further information can be found at www.panbela.com. Panbela’s common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “PBLA”.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “design,” “expect,” “feel,” “focus,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “scheduled,” and “will.” All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that should be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) our ability to obtain additional funding to execute our business and clinical development plans; (ii) progress and success of our clinical development program; (iii) the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on our ability to conduct our clinical trials; (iv) our ability to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our product candidates: ivospemin (SBP-101) and eflornithine (CPP-1X); (v) our reliance on a third party for the execution of the registration trial for our product candidate Flynpovi; (vi) our ability to obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates, SBP-101 and CPP-1X in the United States, the European Union or other international markets; (vii) the market acceptance and level of future sales of our product candidates, SBP-101 and CPP-1X; (viii) the cost and delays in product development that may result from changes in regulatory oversight applicable to our product candidates, SBP-101 and CPP-1X; (ix) the rate of progress in establishing reimbursement arrangements with third-party payors; (x) the effect of competing technological and market developments; (xi) the costs involved in filing and prosecuting patent applications and enforcing or defending patent claims; (xii) our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange; and (xiii) such other factors as discussed in Part I, Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any additional risks presented in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement or reasons why actual results would differ from those anticipated in any such forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contact Information:

Investors:
James Carbonara
Hayden IR
(646) 755-7412
james@haydenir.com

Media:
Tammy Groene
Panbela Therapeutics, Inc.
(952) 479-1196
IR@panbela.com

FAQ

What is the ASPIRE trial for PBLA?

The ASPIRE trial is a global clinical study evaluating ivospemin in combination with standard chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer.

When is the interim analysis for the ASPIRE trial expected?

The interim analysis for the ASPIRE trial is targeted for early 2024.

What are the expected benefits of ivospemin in the ASPIRE trial?

Ivospemin has shown a median overall survival of 14.6 months and an objective response rate of 48% in previous studies.

How many sites will participate in the ASPIRE trial?

The ASPIRE trial plans to involve approximately 95 sites across multiple countries.

What are the potential risks for PBLA related to the ASPIRE trial?

Risks include the ability to secure regulatory approval for ivospemin and achieving trial enrollment goals.