SHARES in drug discoverer Novogen have surged after the company said its experimental anti-cancer drug Cantrixil killed human ovarian stem cells.
NOVOGEN, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and the Nasdaq index in the United States, said studies had shown the drug had been highly effective in both in-vitro and animal studies.
The drug killed cells that are usually highly resistant to cytotoxic drugs and which are believed to be responsible for diseases recurring after initial therapy. Human trials of Cantrixil are expected to start in late 2015. The study will mainly target ovarian cancer and colo-rectal cancer. Shares in Novogen were three cents, or 15.79 per cent, higher at 22 cents at 1109 AEDT.