Tivozanib: Phase II started

Astellas began the open-label, international Phase II BATON-CRC trial to compare mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil (5-FU), folinic acid and oxaliplatin) in combination with oral and IV tivozanib or Avastin bevacizumab as first-line treatment in 252 patients with mCRC. Tivozanib has Orphan Drug designation in the EU for renal cell carcinoma, which it is in Phase III testing. Aveo has exclusive rights to tivozanib from Kirin outside of Asia, where Kyowa Hakko Kirin has rights. Last year, Astellas and Aveo partnered to co-develop and commercialize tivozanib outside of Asia (see BioCentury, Feb. 21, 2011). ...