AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Highlights
Race Oncology commences Phase 1 solid tumour trial with initial patient dosed safely at Miranda, NSW
RC220 explored in combination with doxorubicin, leveraging prior bisantrene research and preclinical outcomes
Trial expands across Australian sites, with international locations in Hong Kong and South Korea planned
Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC), a biotechnology company listed on the ASX 200 and All Ordinaries indices, has initiated its Phase 1 clinical trial assessing RC220 in patients with advanced solid tumours. The company announced that the first patient was safely dosed at the Southside Cancer Care Centre in Miranda, New South Wales. No adverse effects or phlebitis were reported during this initial phase.
RC220 is a reformulated version of bisantrene, a drug previously studied across a wide range of cancers and known for a favourable cardiotoxicity profile when compared to traditional anthracyclines such as doxorubicin. The trial represents a critical step for the company in establishing clinical safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the compound in a real-world setting.
Study Design Targets Dose Combination and Therapeutic Response
The clinical trial is designed to evaluate RC220 in conjunction with doxorubicin. It follows a staged format, beginning with the objective to identify the maximum tolerated combined dose. A second stage will subsequently examine further indicators of anticancer activity and examine aspects related to heart health.
The trial employs a Bayesian adaptive design. This methodology allows data from treated patients to inform real-time decision-making on dose escalation and therapeutic monitoring. Through this model, researchers can adapt the trial structure based on emerging outcomes.
Expansion Across Australian and International Trial Sites
Alongside the Miranda location, Race Oncology has activated additional clinical sites across Australia. Notably, the Gosford and Wyong Hospitals site has commenced patient recruitment. Further expansion is scheduled for Hong Kong and South Korea, broadening the geographical scope of the study.
All patients in the trial are treated under the supervision of principal investigators, in accordance with regulatory and ethical frameworks.
RC220 Draws from Historic Data and New Preclinical Research
The compound RC220 benefits from insights derived from more than fifty historical clinical studies involving bisantrene. These findings are complemented by Race Oncology’s own preclinical research, which suggests enhanced activity when RC220 is used in combination with doxorubicin.
Laboratory testing has shown that this pairing exhibited heightened anticancer performance in the majority of tested cancer cell lines. The compound’s development further investigates its influence on the m6A RNA pathway, a cellular mechanism associated with cancer progression. Findings indicate that bisantrene, the foundation of RC220, inhibits the FTO protein, an epigenetic regulator of cellular activity.
ASX Dividends Environment and Broader Market Context
The progress made by Race Oncology aligns with broader developments across the healthcare sector on the Australian Securities Exchange. As part of the ASX 200 and All Ordinaries indices, the company contributes to sector-wide momentum amid ongoing conversations about asx dividends and innovation-driven health solutions.
Race Oncology’s clinical strategy continues to focus on refining therapeutic outcomes while broadening its research base. The company remains engaged with clinical institutions, regulatory bodies, and research partners as part of its active development pipeline.
