Philadelphia, PA (October 9, 2017) - Oncoceutics Inc. and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced the expansion of their strategic alliance and research collaboration agreement to include the clinical development of ONC212.
Since 2015, Oncoceutics and MD Anderson have collaborated on the clinical development of ONC201, the founding member of the imipridone class. ONC212 is a novel member of this class and, like ONC201, utilizes the same chemical core to interact with G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). However, ONC212 targets a novel GPCR, GPR132, which has been shown to play an important role in the control of growth of acute leukemias, but has never before been successfully targeted by a small molecule.
This alliance between MD Anderson and Oncoceutics will support Phase I and Phase II clinical trials of ONC212 in patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Similar to the structure of the agreement around ONC201, the alliance provides for a sharing of risk and rewards from potential commercialization of ONC212.
"The prospects for the new imiprdione ONC212, a small molecule that is an agonist of GPR132, represents a new paradigm in oncology, unlocking the untapped potential of targeting GPCRs for treating cancer," said
J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego.
"We look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership with the MD Anderson through the clinical translation of ONC212," said Wolfgang Oster, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oncoceutics. "The data generated by Dr. Andreeff and others speaks to the potential of ONC212 as a novel therapeutic agent."
About Oncoceutics
Oncoceutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company with a novel class of compounds that selectively target G protein-coupled receptors for oncology. The first lead compound to result from this program is ONC201, an orally active DRD2 small molecule antagonist that is well-tolerated and effective against advanced cancers. The company recently completed a successful Phase I study in solid tumors and has begun additional Phase I/II and Phase II clinical programs in both solid and hematological malignancies. Oncoceutics and collaborative groups have received significant grants over the last two years, from institutions such as the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and The Musella Foundation. In addition, outside interest in the company's portfolio has resulted in several R&D alliance agreements and collaborations between Oncoceutics and leading cancer research institutions, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the NIH/NCI, Harvard and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. The company has established a robust intellectual property position, including several issued patents.
