We are developing AQ4N (Banoxantrone) for the treatment of solid tumors. In April 2007, Novacea acquired worldwide development and commercialization rights for AQ4N from Kudos Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, Ltd.

To date, data collected indicate that AQ4N is converted selectively to the drug’s active form, AQ4,  within hypoxic, or oxygen-starved, tumor cells. Hypoxia is an important distinguishing characteristic of tumors that limits the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. We believe that AQ4N will be less likely to produce the systemic toxicity caused by most cytotoxic chemotherapies, since data suggests that it preferentially activates in hypoxic cells (tumor cells) and not in most normal tissues.

We have initiated a multicenter Phase1b/2a open-label clinical trial of AQ4N in combination with radiotherapy and temozolomide to evaluate safety, tolerability, and activity in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).