Plexxikon today announced publication of data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of PLX4032 (RG7204), confirming that treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with the BRAF V600E mutation resulted in significant tumor shrinkage in the majority of patients. Specifically, in the melanoma extension cohort of the study, nearly all patients showed some response; 81 percent of patients had tumor shrinkage of at least 30 percent. The data were published in the August 26, 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, based on an analysis as of January 31, 2010. These results further support the current PLX4032 development strategy, which includes parallel and ongoing Phase 2 (BRIM2) and Phase 3 (BRIM3) studies to support registration. PLX4032 is a novel, orally administered, targeted agent that is selective for a key oncogenic driver in melanoma and other cancers.

Plexxikon Inc. and Roche (SWX:ROG), today announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize a second novel kinase inhibitor, PLX5568. The main focus of this partnership will be the development of this small molecule inhibitor of Raf kinase as an oral therapeutic treatment for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). There is currently no registered treatment for PKD which affects over 600,000 patients in the U.S and is the most common life- threatening genetic disease.

Plexxikon Inc. today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 human clinical trial for PLX5568, a novel kinase inhibitor targeted for the treatment of at least two major indications with unmet medical needs: pain as well as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). PLX5568 has demonstrated robust preclinical efficacy in multiple pain models, including neuropathic pain as well as acute and inflammatory pain. In addition, PLX5568 has demonstrated compelling efficacy in multiple preclinical models of PKD.

Plexxikon Inc. today announced data from preclinical studies of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) demonstrating significantly reduced kidney disease following treatment with Plexxikon’s novel drug candidate. Plexxikon’s novel small molecule kinase inhibitor is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of Raf kinase, a critical mediator of PKD pathology. These data were recently presented at the ISN Forefronts Symposium on Polycystic Kidney Disease in Montreal, Canada by Stefan Somlo, M.D., CNH Long Professor of Internal Medicine and Genetics and Chief of Nephrology at the Yale University School of Medicine.

If there’s anxiety lingering after the FDA’s summer ruling about potential cancer toxicity with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), you wouldn’t know it from Wyeth – which entered a potential $372 mil- lion deal with Plexxikon Inc. to develop treatments for diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Plexxikon Inc. raised $15 million in venture financing to complete a Series B extension round.