Contract development, manufacturing and packaging organization, Quay Pharma, has entered into an agreement with drug discovery and development company, Redx Pharma, to manufacture its new cancer treatment drug.

The new Porcupine inhibitor has the potential to tackle hard-to-treat cancers such as pancreatic, gastric and biliary. Quay will formulate the capsules, which will be administered during the drug’s first-in-human studies early 2017.

The new treatment will have the potential for patients to take it orally as a once-daily dose. The inhibitor targets an embryonic signaling pathway that assists maintaining cancer stem cells associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and resistance.

“We are delighted that Redx has selected Quay Pharma based upon our formulation development expertise, unparalleled flexibility and successful track record of delivering clinical trial supplies on time,” said Maireadh Pedersen, chief executive officer, Quay Pharma.

Neil Murray, chief executive officer, Redx Pharma, said, “Less than 10% of pancreatic cancer patients survive five years from their diagnosis. The potential for this new class of drugs to tackle some of these difficult cancers could see a significant advance for patients who have few meaningful treatment options today. Our Porcupine inhibitor is an especially exciting clinical candidate, both scientifically and commercially. We are pleased to confirm that we remain on track to enter the clinical trial phase early 2017.”