Kansas University Cancer Center leaders on Tuesday plan to announce the opening of a clinical trial of Nanotax, a cancer treatment drug, in the Wichita area.

Nanotax was developed through KU Cancer Center, Lawrence-based CritiTech and researchers on the Lawrence campus. The first Phase 1 human testing of the drug began in Kansas City last year.

Nanotax is a reformulation of a commonly used chemotherapy drug, Paclitaxel, into nanoparticles that allow it to be water-soluble. The reformulation reduces a number of unwanted side effects.

Officials from the Kansas Bioscience Authority and Cancer Centers of Kansas also are scheduled to be at Tuesday’s press conference, which will be at 9:30 a.m. at KU School of Medicine’s Wichita campus in the Sunflower Room.