Researchers from Aligos Therapeutics Inc. have presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel next-generation liver targeted PD-L1 small molecule inhibitor, ALG-094103, which is being developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer.

Aligos Therapeutics Inc. has disclosed programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1; PDCD1; CD279), PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) and/or PD-1/PD-L1 interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent tumor of the liver, and in contrast to the reduction in the number of deaths in many common cancers, HCC’s mortality rates have gone up in recent years. One of the features that characterizes HCC is the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Recent preclinical testing in HCC models has shown a reduction in tumor growth using siRNA or ASOs acting as β-catenin inhibitors.

Merck & Co. Inc., building on a year-old deal with Aligos Therapeutics Inc., has moved to in-license an early stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) oligonucleotide program Aligos had previously advanced independently. The amended deal also gives Merck the right to add a new NASH target to the partnership, in addition to those already part of the agreement. With Aligos eligible to receive up to $460 million in development and commercialization milestones as well as tiered royalties on net sales per target, its rewards could reach $1.38 billion.