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Highlights
- Race Oncology brings back a shelved cancer drug with modern innovation
- New formulation offers 20 years of exclusive patent protection
- Potential heart-protective benefits in combination chemotherapy
Race Oncology (ASX:RAC) is turning heads in the biotech sector with its novel approach to revitalising a once-abandoned cancer drug. The company has re-engineered Bisantrene, a treatment previously approved for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), addressing the formulation issues that led to its discontinuation and uncovering new therapeutic benefits in the process.
Originally sidelined due to its poor solubility in blood, Bisantrene presented significant clinical challenges. The drug’s original formulation caused severe side effects, which eventually halted its progression in the market. However, Race Oncology saw an opportunity to bring this promising compound back to life through a modern pharmaceutical lens.
The company developed a new formulation that overcomes these solubility hurdles, making the drug safer and more effective for patient use. This breakthrough not only addresses the original shortcomings but also qualifies the new version for fresh patent protection—providing Race Oncology with a 20-year exclusivity window to explore its commercial and clinical potential.
Beyond simply reviving an old drug, further research revealed an unexpected and potentially game-changing benefit. Bisantrene appears to offer cardioprotective effects, particularly when used alongside anthracyclines—one of the most widely used classes of chemotherapy drugs. Anthracyclines are known for their effectiveness in fighting cancer but are also notorious for causing heart damage with prolonged use.
The dual capability of Bisantrene—to enhance the efficacy of anthracyclines while simultaneously protecting the heart—could mark a major advancement in oncology treatment. This innovation opens doors for safer, more effective chemotherapy regimens, with reduced long-term health complications for patients.
Race Oncology’s approach highlights the power of scientific reinvention. By revisiting a compound with proven anti-cancer activity and applying modern formulation technologies, the company is unlocking new value in a space that desperately needs fresh solutions. With exclusivity secured and development pathways expanding, the next chapters in Bisantrene’s journey could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cancer care.
