Products > Development
Acacia has a commercially-led discovery & development process. The process is driven by the company’s focus within cancer supportive care, and looks for poorly treated conditions of interest and the unmet medical needs within these conditions. The process takes into account the results of specifically commissioned market research along with the perceived development path within a condition as well as the likelihood of Acacia identifying product opportunities meeting the target product profile.
APD209 – cancer cachexia
The word "cachexia" comes from the Greek words "kakos" and "hexis", meaning "bad conditions". Cachexia is a complex metabolic status with progressive weight loss and depletion of host reserves of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Cachexia should be suspected if involuntary weight loss of greater than five percent, relative to premorbid weight, occurs within a six-month period. Involuntary weight loss, tissue wasting, poor performance, and ultimately death are features of cancer cachexia. It is a condition of advanced protein calorie malnutrition. Cachexia is one of the most debilitating and life-threatening aspects of cancer. It increases in prevalence from 50% to more than 80% before death and in more than 20% of patients is the main cause of death. APD209 comprises an oral formulation of a currently marketed drug, for the new use of cancer cachexia. APD209 has completed preclinical development. A Pilot Study in patients with cancer cachexia was initiated March 2009.
ACA1515 – xerostomia in chemotherapy patients
Xerostomia is defined as dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow and occurs as a result of salivary gland dysfunction. Saliva is a complex, versatile and important body fluid which contains a number of constituents which serve a wide spectrum of physiological needs. It is required to perform basic functions such as swallowing, speaking and protection of the oral mucosa and the teeth from infection. It has been estimated that up to 80% of patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from xerostomia either as a direct result of their chemotherapy or as a consequence of concomitant medicines. ACA1515 comprises a local formulation of a currently marketed drug, for the new use treatment of xerostomia in chemotherapy patients. Preclinical evaluation is complete and it is anticipated that a Phase I/II clinical evaluation will be initiated in the second half of 2010.
ACA1421 – nausea & vomiting
Post-operative nausea & vomiting (PONV) occurs in approximately 35% of all surgical patients (there are >130 million surgical procedures per annum) and 70% of high risk patients and is a major concern in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Risk factors for PONV include age, gender, body weight, type of surgery and types of drugs administered. PONV is currently treated using a multimodal approach, including the use of combination pharmacotherapy. Despite this about a third of patients given prophylaxis require rescue therapy in the first 6 hours after surgery and 40% in the first 24 hours. ACA1421 comprises an intravenous injection of a well known drug for the new use of prevention of PONV. Once clinical proof-of-concept is produced in PONV, ACA1421 will also be investigated in chemotherapy induced nausea & vomiting (CINV). ACA1421 is currently completing preclinical evaluation and it is anticipated that a Phase I/II clinical evaluation will be initiated in the second half of 2010.