Singapore: MEI Pharma's lead mitochondrial inhibitor drug candidate, ME-344, has been named one of the Top 10 Most Licensable Oncology Products to Watch for 2012 by Elsevier Business Intelligence and Campbell Alliance. MEI Pharma is the US-based subsidiary of Novogen that focuses on the clinical development of novel therapies for cancer.

"We are honored to have ME-344 considered among the most attractive oncology opportunities in the industry," said Dr Daniel P Gold, president and chief executive officer of MEI Pharma. "We believe ME-344 is a novel compound with a unique mechanism of action that has the potential to complement standards-of-care and significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with cancer. Our phase I clinical trial of ME-344 in patients with solid refractory tumours is nearing completion of enrollment and we look forward to reporting its results, along with our plans for its next phase of clinical development, during the second quarter of 2013."

Projects were selected using a set of judging criteria that included unmet medical need, market potential, diversity of indications, strong science, multi-level partnering opportunities (biotech and pharma), potential for new opportunities beyond initial indications and corporate stability. Selected projects will be presented at the Windhover Therapeutic Area Partnerships conference in Boston on November 29, 2012.