Tekmira delays next TKM-ApoB trial

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (TSX:TKM) has decided to delay the start of the next TKM-ApoB clinical trial based on a review on non-clinical data.

“We are not satisfied with the performance of our current TKM-ApoB LNP formulation for its intended use,” CEO Andy Shelton said in a statement. “We are going to focus on selecting an alternative formulation and availing ourselves of our existing improvements in formulation technology before resuming clinical development.”

The delay has no impact on any of the company’s other programs or programs of Tekmira’s collaboration partners. Tekmira had originally planned to initiate the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for TKM-ApoB by the end of this year. TKM-ApoB is being developed as a treatment for patients with high LDL cholesterol, who are not well served by current therapy.

The company also said it is evaluating opportunities to expand the development of TKM- PLK1, including initiating a clinical trial in collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The trial would provide an “opportunity to evaluate TKM-PLK1 in a clinical trial designed to rapidly provide clinical data in an oncology application with Tekmira’s LNP technology and confirm PLK1 as an important oncology target.”

Tekmira’s own Phase 1 clinical trial with TKM-PLK1 is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter this year.