Biotech, cancer, clinical trials

Calistoga Starts First Clinical Trial of Cancer Drug

Luke Timmerman 7/10/08

Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, a Seattle biotech startup backed by Frazier Healthcare Ventures, said today it has started its first test in humans of its lead drug candidate for patients with blood cancers. The treatment, a small-molecule compound called CAL-101, is designed to block the PI3 kinase, which controls cell growth and survival signals. The trial will enroll 60 patients, measuring safety at a range of doses, according to a description at clinicaltrials.gov.