Marketing Authorization Application For Satraplatin Is To Be Withdrawn

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Cancer / Oncology;  Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 28 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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GPC Biotech AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: GPC, NASDAQ: GPCB) reported that the Company has been informed by its partner for satraplatin in Europe that they plan to withdraw the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for satraplatin plus prednisone for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients whose prior chemotherapy has failed.

This decision was based on a list of outstanding issues received following review by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) of the filing, which indicates that the opinion of the Committee is that the application is currently not approvable based on the information provided.

Bernd R. Seizinger, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GPC Biotech said: "Although we previously communicated that the approval of the MAA for satraplatin would be challenging, today's outcome is nevertheless disappointing. We are working closely with our partners to determine the next steps regarding the development of satraplatin and continue to focus our other efforts on advancing our RGB-286638 kinase inhibitor into the clinic and exploring various merger and acquisition opportunities."

About GPC Biotech

GPC Biotech AG is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on anticancer drugs. GPC Biotech's lead product candidate is satraplatin, an oral platinum compound. The Company has various anti-cancer programs in research and development that leverage its expertise in kinase inhibitors. GPC Biotech AG is headquartered in Martinsried/Munich (Germany) and has a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary in Princeton, New Jersey. For additional information, please visit GPC Biotech's Web site at http://www.gpc-biotech.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of the management of GPC Biotech, including statements about the efficacy and safety of satraplatin. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially depending on a number of factors, and we caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Satraplatin may not be approved for marketing in a timely manner, if at all. We direct you to GPC Biotech's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for additional details on the important factors that may affect the future results, performance and achievements of GPC Biotech. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and GPC Biotech undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Satraplatin has not been approved by the FDA in the U.S., the EMEA in Europe or any other regulatory authority and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding its safety or effectiveness. Only the relevant regulatory authorities can determine whether satraplatin is safe and effective for the use(s) being investigated.