Celator joins leukemia society for phase II trial of CPX-351

Celator Pharmaceuticals and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have partnered for the phase II development of CPX-351 (cytarabine:daunorubicin), a liposome injection for treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukemia.

Through the partnership, the society will provide $3.7 million to support the multicenter, randomized, open-label trial of CPX-351 compared with intensive salvage therapy in adult patients (≤ 60 years of age) with AML in first relapse. Celator expects to start patient enrollment in this study in the first quarter of 2009 in the U.S. and Canada. CPX-351 has also been granted orphan drug status by the FDA for the treatment of AML.

The collaboration is part of the society’s Therapy Acceleration Program, which supports private sector and academic-based projects that advance investigational therapies.