TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 12, 2019 / Soricimed Biopharma Inc. ("Soricimed" or the "Company"), a privately-held, science-based company today provided an update on its peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) program.
PDCs, which consist of a cytotoxic drug payload bound to a targeting peptide, have the potential to selectively target receptors that are overexpressed by cancerous cells. Thus, PDCs enable delivery of highly cytotoxic payloads directly to cancerous tumors while minimizing the risk of damage to healthy cells and tissues as is commonly seen with current chemotherapy treatments. PDCs have several additional advantages over other drug conjugate approaches, such as those that use antibodies: they are much smaller; easier and less costly to manufacture; and have better tumor penetration, lower systemic exposure, and less risk of liver damage.
Soricimed is developing the next generation of PDCs for cancer treatment by linking cytotoxic payloads to its proprietary TRPV6-targeting peptides.
Soricimed evaluated SBI-1301, a conjugate of an extremely potent cytotoxic drug, as part of an earlier collaboration with Eisai Inc., a Japanese pharmaceutical company. The results of this collaboration were compelling. Complete tumor regression was demonstrated in a mouse model of human prostate cancer with just three intravenous treatments of SBI-1301 over nine days. At the highest doses tested, there was no evidence of toxicity in the animals, and following 60 days of observation, the tumors did not regrow.
Soricimed has also completed a maximum tolerated dose study in an ongoing collaboration with a European-based biotech company interested in exploring the targeted delivery of their proprietary toxin to cancer cells. Animal efficacy testing in a human prostate cancer mouse model will be completed over the next several months.
"With the continued progress of our PDC program, we intend to utilize the data to advance partnering discussions with larger pharma and biotech companies," commented Robert Bruce, CEO, Soricimed Biopharma. "With the potential to more precisely deliver various cytotoxins with different mechanisms of action, while sparing healthy tissue, we are looking forward to initiating additional collaborations."
About Soricimed Biopharma Inc.: Soricimed is a privately-held, science-based company focused on the development and commercialization of applications originally derived from its unique and proprietary family of peptides found in the paralytic venom of the northern short-tailed shrew. Product development is ongoing for three distinct verticals: as targeted drug candidates for the treatment of solid-tumor cancers; as an environmentally responsible pesticide for the agriculture and aquaculture sectors; and as novel active ingredients in skin-care products for the cosmetic industry. For more information visit www.soricimed.com.
About Soricimed - Oncology: Soricimed's oncology vertical focuses on targeted drug candidates for the treatment of solid-tumor cancers. Soricimed's lead drug candidate, SOR-C13, has been shown to be safe and well tolerated, with indications of efficacy in a Phase 1 human clinical trial. A follow on Phase 1b Investigator Initiatied Trial ("IIT") in late-stage cancer is currently underway. SOR-C13 has been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of pancreatic and ovarian cancers by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, a portfolio of targeted Peptide-drug Conjugates ("PDCs") is in late pre-clinical development at this time.
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SOURCE: Soricimed Biopharma
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