Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHPH) shares are witnessing a significant surge on the US stock charts following the announcement of the completion of site enrollments for a crucial clinical trial. As of the latest pre-market check, SHPH shares were trading at $2.01, reflecting an impressive increase of 52.27%.
Clinical Trial Agreements Finalized
Shuttle Pharma (SHPH) has successfully signed contracts with each of the six approved sites for the Phase 2 clinical study of ropidoxuridine, which is meant to treat patients with glioblastoma.
In addition to previous agreements with prestigious organizations like the UVA Cancer Center, John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute, and Miami Cancer Institute, which is a part of Baptist Health South Florida, the newly formed partnerships include Georgetown University Medical Center and UNC Medical Center. Currently, patients are undergoing screening processes for trial enrollment.
Ropidoxuridine: A Promising Candidate
Ropidoxuridine (IPdR) is recognized as Shuttle Pharma’s lead candidate, intended to serve as a radiation sensitizer in conjunction with standard radiation therapy (RT) for glioblastoma treatment. This aggressive brain malignancy is particularly challenging, with no established cure available. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for IPdR, which could offer marketing exclusivity upon its first approval for the treatment of this condition.
The Significance of the Clinical Trial
The Phase 2 clinical trial is set to enroll patients diagnosed with aggressive, IDH wild-type, methylaion-negative glioblastomas. Standard treatment currently involves radiation therapy; however, research indicates that over half of the patients in this demographic may not survive beyond 12 months post-diagnosis.
In the U.S., approximately 800,000 patients receive radiation therapy annually, with an estimated 400,000 undergoing treatment aimed at curative outcomes. The trial’s findings will be vital for the oncology community, as Shuttle Pharma seeks to identify effective radiation sensitizers to enhance cure rates, extend survival, and improve the overall quality of life for glioblastoma patients.
