Verastem Enters Biomarker Agreement With LabCorp For Cancer Stem Cell Agent Companion Diagnostic

Verastem, Inc., (NASDAQ: VSTM) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells, entered an agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America ^® Holdings (LabCorp ^®) (NYSE: LH) to validate biomarkers for its lead focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor VS-6063 in the development of an applicable companion diagnostic.

The biomarkers will be the subject of clinical studies in ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, including a potentially pivotal study of VS-6063 in mesothelioma expected to initiate later this year.

“The identification of patients most likely to benefit from targeted therapy is critical to accelerating the drug development and approval process,” said Henri Termeer, Verastem Lead Director.

Clinical assay validation is an integral component to all companion diagnostics entering an FDA approval process.

Pioneering research by Robert Weinberg, Ph.D., Verastem cofounder and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, and others have demonstrated that FAK signaling plays a central role in the tumor-initiating capability of cancer stem cells and ultimate disease progression. VS-6063 is designed to target and kill cancer stem cells by inhibiting FAK signaling.

Mesothelioma tumors lacking the tumor suppressor Merlin appear to be particularly sensitive to FAK inhibitors. As shown recently at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, sensitivity due to lack of Merlin is evident in both research models and early clinical proof-of-concept.

“We believe the approximately 50% of mesothelioma patients lacking Merlin may be particularly responsive to treatment with FAK inhibitors,” said Dan Paterson, Verastem Vice President, Head of Corporate Development and Diagnostics. “LabCorp is the perfect partner to progress our research on Merlin into a companion diagnostic for VS-6063.”

“We are pleased to collaborate with Verastem in guiding the clinical development of cancer stem cell-targeted agents,” said David P. King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LabCorp. “This relationship represents another example of our accelerating initiatives in companion diagnostics and personalized medicine.”

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