The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has joined forces with Acetylon Pharmaceuticals to promote Phase I/II clinical trials of ACY-1215, a multiple myeloma therapy.

“Based on our preclinical studies, we expect ACY-1215 to demonstrate very potent antitumor activity and a very favorable side effect profile,” said Dr. Ken Anderson, who co-founded Acetylon, and is the Kraft Family Professor of Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Center Institute.

The agreement includes a commitment from Acetylon to conduct clinical trials of ACY-1215 on adult patients with relapsed forms of multiple myeloma. In addition, the Leukemia will support the trials with $4.85 million of funding that is slated for distribution as a number of criteria are met.

The trials will help determine the effectiveness of ACY-1215, a therapy designed to inhibit an enzyme associated with multiple myeloma and other blood cancers. Dr. Anderson and other researchers involved with these efforts also hope to produce a therapy with fewer harmful side effects than current drug options that target the same enzyme.