New Haven-based Biohaven Pharmaceuticals is partnering with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey on a clinical drug trial for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
Biohaven announced Monday that its investigational drug, trigriluzole, which controls glutamate dysfunction, is being tested for safety in a Phase 1 trial for patients with inoperable or advanced solid tumors or lymphomas.
A total of 12 to 27 patients will be treated with trigriluzole in combination with the immunotherapy drug Opdivo and other immunotherapy treatments, the company said. The first patient has begun treatment in the study, which started enrolling candidates this month.
Biohaven previously acquired patent rights from Rutgers to develop and commercialize certain glutamate modulating agents for the treatment of cancer.
The Elm City biotech said trigriluzole could help cancer patients by inhibiting the signaling of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Research at Rutgers found glutamate receptor signaling can play a role in the growth and spread of some tumors.
“We are excited to build on their work and advance our compounds for clinical testing in the treatment of cancer,” Biohaven Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Berman said.
Natalie Missakian can be reached at news@newhavenbiz.com
