EC145 is a new drug that combines folate with an anti-cancer agent.

The drug works by entering the cancer cells via a folate vitamin receptor and delivering the active anti-cancer drug directly into the tumour cells, ultimately leading to their destruction.

Folate receptors are commonly found on the surface of many types of tumour cells, but are relatively rare in most non-cancerous tissue.

"Endocyte's proprietary targeting technology enables anti-cancer drugs to reach tumour cells more specifically through a process that is also hypothesised to reduce the risk of toxicity to healthy tissues," said Christopher Leamon, VP of Research at Endocyte.

The first open-label, non-randomised, dose escalation study of EC145 is now being conducted to evaluate its safety and tolerability and to identify the dose to be used in future Phase II efficacy trials.

There are no previous human studies of EC145 treatment although in previous lab research EC145 has shown activity against tumours in animals, suggesting the drug may be at least as useful as chemotherapy against human cancers, said the company.

"Research results so far indicate that therapies based on our folate receptor targeting technology could deliver potent anti-cancer agents to cells associated with many carcinomas, including those of the ovary, kidney, brain, lung, breast and endometrium," said Leamon.