Adherex Technologies has announced it is developing a new drug that it hopes will protect against some of the side-effects associated with platinum-based anti-cancer agents.

According to the Canadian company clinical trials will be carried out using the new 'STS' drug during 2003, with the preliminary results encouraging.

Early experiments have shown the drug to be effective in combating the severe hearing loss that is often produced by platinum agents.

'Our pre-clinical and clinical development continues to proceed in a systematic and rational manner,' commented William Peters, chief executive of Adherex Technologies.

Should the drug prove successful in tackling the problem it is hoped that an increasing number of platinum-based agents, which are often effectual in treatment of cancer, may be used.