Synta Announces Presentations at the 2013 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 15, 2013-- Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: SNTA) today announced scheduled presentations at the 2013 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, which is taking place May 31June 4 in Chicago.

GALAXY-1 interim results

“A randomized study of ganetespib, a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, in combination with docetaxel versus docetaxel alone for second-line therapy of lung adenocarcinoma (GALAXY-1)”

Abstract #: CRA8007
Date and time: June 3, 5:15 – 5:30 PM
Location: Oral Abstract Session – Lung Cancer. E Hall D2
Presenter: Suresh S. Ramalingam, M.D., Emory University, Atlanta, GA

The interim overall survival analysis of the adenocarcinoma patient population of GALAXY-1 planned for six months from the November 2012 completion of the primary enrollment stage of the trial will be conducted later this month. Results will be reviewed by an independent data review committee prior to presentation.

GALAXY-2 and ENCHANT-1 trial designs

“GALAXY-2 trial: A randomized phase III study of ganetespib in combination with docetaxel versus docetaxel alone in patients with advanced non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma”

Abstract #: TPS8126
Date and time: June 1, 8:00 – 11:45 AM
Location: General Poster Session – Lung Cancer. S Hall A2
Presenter: Dean A. Fennell, M.D., Ph.D., University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK

“The ENCHANT-1 trial (NCT01677455): An open label multicenter phase II proof of concept study evaluating first-line ganetespib monotherapy in women with metastatic HER2-positive or triple negative breast cancer (TBNC)”

Abstract #: TPS1136
Date and time: June 1, 1:15 – 5:00 PM
Location: General Poster Session – Breast Cancer. S Hall A2
Presenter: Ahmad Awada, M.D., Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium

Investigator-sponsored studies

“A phase II clinical trial of ganetespib (STA-9090) in previously treated patients with advanced esophagogastric cancers”

Abstract #: 4090
Date and time: June 2, 8:00 – 11:45 AM
Location: General Poster Session – Gastrointestinal (noncolorectal) Cancer. S Hall A2
Presenter: Eunice L. Kwak, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

“A phase II clinical trial of ganetespib (STA-9090), a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) post docetaxel-based chemotherapy: Results of a Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium (PCCTC) study”

Abstract #: 5085
Date and time: June 3, 8:00 – 11:45 AM.
Location: General Poster Session – Genitourinary Cancer. S Hall A2
Presenter: Elisabeth I. Heath, M.D., Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI

“Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibition in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN): an in vitro analysis with a focus on p16 status”

Abstract #: 2552
Time: June 3, 8:00 – 11:45 AM
Location: General Poster Session – Developmental Therapeutics. S Hall A2
Presenter: Kirtesh R. Patel, M.D., Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Abstract content

Except for the GALAXY-1 abstract (CRA8007), which is expected to remain under embargo until 6:30 AM CST on the day of the presentation, all abstracts are available on the ASCO website at www.asco.org.

About Ganetespib

Ganetespib, an investigational drug candidate, is a selective inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a molecular chaperone which controls the folding and activation of a number of client proteins that drive tumor development and progression. Many solid and hematologic tumors are dependent on Hsp90 client proteins including proteins involved in “oncogene addiction” (ALK, HER2, mutant BRAF and EGFR, androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, JAK2); proteins involved in resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy (ATR, BCL2, BRCA1/2, CDK1/4, CHK1, survivin, and WEE1); proteins involved in angiogenesis (HIF-1alpha, VEGFR, PDFGR, and VEGF); and proteins involved in metastasis (MET, RAF, AKT, MMPs, HIF-1alpha, and IGF-1R). In preclinical models, inhibition of Hsp90 by ganetespib results in the inactivation, destabilization, and eventual degradation of these cancer-promoting proteins. Ganetespib is being evaluated in over 20 clinical trials including trials in lung, breast, colorectal, and hematologic malignancies. Information on these trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About the GALAXY Program

The GALAXY (Ganetespib Assessment in Lung cAncer with docetaXel) program consists of two randomized trials comparing the combination of ganetespib and docetaxel versus docetaxel alone in patients with Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who have received one prior systemic therapy: a 300-patient Phase 2b/3 trial (GALAXY-1) to determine the patient population most likely to derive benefit from ganetespib, and a 500-patient confirmatory Phase 3 trial (GALAXY-2). More information about the GALAXY trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01348126 and NCT01798485).

About Synta Pharmaceuticals

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to extend and enhance the lives of patients with severe medical conditions, including cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Synta has a unique chemical compound library, an integrated discovery engine, and a diverse pipeline of clinical- and preclinical-stage drug candidates with distinct mechanisms of action and novel chemical structures. All Synta drug candidates were invented by Synta scientists using our compound library and discovery capabilities. For more information, please visit www.syntapharma.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This media release may contain forward-looking statements about Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "would", "should", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "may", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", or similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements, including statements relating to the development and progress of our programs, including the timing of the analysis of the adenocarcinoma patient population of GALAXY-1 and timing of the release of the GALAXY-1 abstract, reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including those described in "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Synta undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Source: Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp.

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