EP90745 is a series of apoptosis inducer compounds for the treatment of cancer. In December 2003, EpiCept granted an exclusive, worldwide development commercialization agreement for the EP90745 series to Myriad Genetics, Inc. Myriad has taken on the responsibility for the clinical development and commercialization of this drug candidate, with oversight to be provided by a joint development committee comprised of Myriad and EpiCept personnel. The license agreement calls for Myriad to pay milestone payments, license fees and research support, as well as a royalty to EpiCept on sales of EP90745-related products, assuming successful commercialization of any compound within the EP90745 series.

In August 2006, Myriad reported positive clinical results for Azixa™ (MPC6827), the lead compound in the series, in a total of 66 patients – the first confirmed clinical proof of concept for EpiCept’s proprietary live cell high-throughput caspase-3 screening technology. Myriad reported that in a Phase I study of Azixa in cancer that has metastasized to the brain, the drug achieved its maximum tolerated dose in patients. Myriad also noted a measured reduction in tumor size in certain patients, suggesting evidence of activity. Based on these Phase I results, Azixa is expected to soon enter Phase II clinical studies.

Myriad has announced that it has initiated three Phase II clinical trials for Azixa in patients with primary brain cancer, with malignant melanoma that has spread to the brain and in non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain.