YM BioSciences expands trial for CYT387

YM BioSciences (AMEX:YMI;TSX:YM) has expanded the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, CYT387, in patients with myelofibrosis to five clinical sites and has extended the trial protocol to allow patients who have derived a clinical benefit to continue to receive treatment beyond the nine cycles of the core protocol. “The initiation of [...]

Dundee upgrades YM to “buy, venture risk”

Dundee Securities has upgraded YM BioSciences (TSX:YM; Amex:YMI) to “buy, venture risk” from “under review” based on the growing focus of JAK-1/2 inhibitors and the potential that may exist to differentiate YM’s CYT387 drug candidate in the space. Analyst David Martin writes that YM’s release of early data this week “suggests that CYT387 may provide [...]

YM posts significant response rates with JAK 1/JAK 2 Inhibitor

YM BioSciences‘ (AMEX:YMI;TSX:YM) data from the initial portion of the Phase 1/2 trial of its JAK1/JAK2 Inhibitor, CYT387, demonstrated “substantial activity” in reducing spleen size and controlling constitutional symptoms, as well as improving anemia in a considerable number of patients with myelofibrosis. “This additional benefit could significantly differentiate our JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor from others in development, [...]

YM gets orphan drug status for JAK1/2 drug

The FDA has granted orphan drug status to YM BioSciences’ (TSX:YM; AMEX:YMI) JAK1/2 inhibitor, CYT387, for the treatment of myelofibrosis, in which a patient’s bone marrow is replaced by scar tissue, and for which treatment options are limited or unsatisfactory. The designation provides YM with seven years of U.S. marketing exclusivity, tax credits for clinical [...]

YM finishes CYT387 dosing; expands study

YM BioSciences (AMEX:YMI; TSX:YM) has concluded dose escalation in the Phase 1 portion of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CYT387 at the Mayo Clinic in patients with myelofibrosis, where a patient’s bone marrow is replaced by scar tissue and treatment options are limited or unsatisfactory because of efficacy and safety concerns. Twenty-one patients were treated in [...]

YM reshuffles the Cytopia deck

YM BioSciences (AMEX:YMI; TSX:YM) got more than it bargained for with its recent acquisition of Australia’s Cytopia. “When we were buying the company, our sole interest was in CYT997, Cytopia’s lead vascular disrupting agent (VDA),” CEO David Allan told biotuesdays.com in an exclusive interview.  VDAs, which can disrupt the blood flow that feed tumours, became [...]

YM financing to help accelerate CYT387 study

YM BioSciences (AMEX:YMI; TSX:YM) has raised about $3.2-million (U.S.) through a non-brokered private placement of 2.5 million common shares at a price of $1.27 each, with proceeds earmarked for an earlier-than-planned Phase 2 component of its trial at the Mayo Clinic with CYT387 in myelofibrosis. “The recent decision by the company to accelerate the current [...]