Medicus Pharma Ltd. has announced strategic leadership changes and progress in its clinical development program for a novel treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. The company appointed Faisal Mehmud, MD, MRCP, as Chief Medical Officer and promoted Edward Brennan, MD, FACS, to Chief Scientific Officer and Head of R&D. These changes come as Medicus Pharma advances its dissolvable doxorubicin-containing microneedle array (D-MNA) through clinical trials.
Leadership Appointments
Dr. Mehmud brings over 20 years of global pharmaceutical experience to Medicus Pharma, having held senior roles at GSK, Pfizer, and BMS. His expertise spans clinical development, medical affairs, and drug safety across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology and hematology. According to Dr. Raza Bokhari, Exec. Chairman & CEO, Dr. Mehmud's experience will be crucial in expanding the drug development pipeline and fostering strategic collaborations.
Dr. Brennan, a co-founder of the company, has been instrumental in identifying D-MNA and designing its clinical development program. His promotion reflects his critical role in positioning D-MNA as a potential best-in-class therapeutic for basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
D-MNA Clinical Development
Medicus Pharma is focused on developing D-MNA, a non-invasive treatment for basal cell skin cancer that utilizes a patented dissolvable microneedle patch to deliver a chemotherapeutic agent directly to tumor cells. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, with an estimated 3.6 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
The company has completed a Phase 1 safety and tolerability study (SKNJCT-001) in March 2021. The study met its primary objective, demonstrating the safety and tolerability of D-MNA. Notably, six participants experienced a complete response based on histological examination of the resected lesion.
Currently, Medicus Pharma is recruiting patients for a Phase 2 clinical trial (SKNJCT-003), a randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter study. The trial aims to enroll up to 60 patients across nine sites in the United States. The study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of two dose levels (100 and 200 ug) of D-MNA compared to placebo in subjects with nodular BCC. Patient recruitment is underway.
Executive Perspectives
Dr. Bokhari emphasized the significance of D-MNA, stating, "Dr. Brennan, as a co-founder of the company, has been instrumental in identifying our lead asset D-MNA and designing the clinical development program to position us to not only become the first in class but also the best-in-class novel therapeutic alternative to treat BCC."
Dr. Mehmud's appointment and Dr. Brennan's promotion signal Medicus Pharma's commitment to advancing its clinical programs and bringing innovative therapies to market.
