Norway's PCI Biotech sees promising data ahead of key study -CEO

PCI Biotech Holding ASA

24/04/2018 05:04

OSLO, April 24 (Reuters) - Norwegian drug maker PCI Biotech
 PCIB.OL  has seen promising results from its bile duct cancer
study ahead of a key second phase, but will need extra capital
or a partnership to finalise a treatment, its chief executive
told Reuters.
    Developing the fimaCHEM platform, combining light-based,
photochemical technology with its fimaporfin drug, PCI seeks to
treat patients who have inoperable tumours.
    "We are currently in an extension of phase one, scheduled to
be finished in the second half of 2018, and then we are ready to
start the pivotal phase two almost immediately," Chief Executive
Per Walday said in an interview at the company's headquarters.
    "Data from the first phase looks promising, and we know that
strong results may allow for accelerated conditional approval
from an interim analysis. We strongly believe in this, but we
only have results from a few patients so far, so there are no
guarantees," he added.
    PCI's cash position covers preparations for the second
phase, but the company will need either a partnership or to
raise money in a share issue to finish the work, it said.

 (Reporting by Camilla Knudsen, editing by Terje Solsvik)
 ((camilla.knudsen@thomsonreuters.com; +47 2331 6595; Reuters
Messaging: camilla.knudsen.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))