Proteinqure Inc. has received regulatory clearances from the U.FDA and Health Canada to initiate a phase I trial of lead candidate, PQ-203. The trial will begin in Canada and expand to U.S. sites later in 2025. The FDA also granted PQ-203 fast track designation for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Nibec Co. Ltd. announced May 28 the signing of a potential $435 million license deal for NP-201, its phase II-ready peptide-based pulmonary fibrosis therapy candidate, with an undisclosed U.S.-based biotech company.
Nibec Co. Ltd. announced May 28 the signing of a potential $435 million license deal for NP-201, its phase II-ready peptide-based pulmonary fibrosis therapy candidate, with an undisclosed U.S.-based biotech company.
Proteinqure Inc. has closed an $11 million series A financing round to support the initiation of the company’s first clinical trial for PQ-203, a first-in-class peptide-drug conjugate for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The funds will also be used to advance additional pipeline programs in neurology and nephrology.
Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) are emerging as a promising alternative to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), offering enhanced tumor penetration and reduced immunogenicity. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are both well-validated targets in oncology due to their role in cancer cell survival, invasion and migration.
Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has identified peptide-drug conjugates comprising a peptide targeting integrin αvβ3 (vitronectin) covalently bound to a cytotoxic drug through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Mainline Biosciences (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has described peptide-drug conjugates consisting of peptide targeting somatostatin receptors covalently bound to cytotoxic agents through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Antibody-drug conjugates, a well-established antitumor strategy, are used for targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs through antibodies. As cancer research progresses, other technologies with different mechanisms are advancing in the oncologic pipeline. Researchers from Cybrexa Therapeutics Inc. presented new preclinical data on CBX-15, a peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) consisting of a pH-low insertion peptide (pHLIP) linked to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE).
Avacta Life Sciences (Avacta Group plc) presented preclinical data on AVA-6103, a second-generation Precision peptide-drug conjugate, being developed for the potential treatment of cancer. AVA-6103 was developed using the company’s proprietary Precision technology incorporating a dipeptide specifically cleaved by fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) leading to tumor-specific delivery of exatecan directly into the tumor cells.
Aposense Ltd. has prepared and tested peptide-drug conjugates comprising a cell-penetrating peptide covalently bound to the therapeutically affective amino acid sequence (SAPK1 [JNK] inhibitors) linked to sterol derivatives through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
