Verastem Initiates Defactinib Trial in Japan

Verastem, Inc.

, focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells, today announced the initiation of a Phase 1 trial of defactinib (VS-6063), a potent inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. FAK is a pathway critical for the growth and survival of cancer stem cells and the study marks the launch of Verastem's development efforts in Japan. The Phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation study, which will be conducted at Kinki University in Osaka, is designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single agent defactinib. The study will enroll 12-18 patients. Pending a successful outcome to the Phase