PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) has announced the start of its new program to develop new anti-tumor molecules.
Madrid, 9th of April 2019. - PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) has announced the start of its new program to develop new anti-tumor molecules. This new immuno-oncology program initiated by PharmaMar targets low molecular weight molecules, interfacial inhibitors, which interfere with the binding of PD-1 with its PD-L1 ligand.
This work began more than two years ago with the screening of PharmaMar's marine samples. The first of these molecules is already being tested at the pre-clinical phase of development.
PharmaMar's molecules fall within the framework of antitumorals known as "small molecules", interfacial inhibitors between PD-1 and PD-L1 that offer advantages over other forms of attacking the tumor. One important advantage of these compounds is that they could eventually be administered orally, thus improving patients' quality of life.
In the words of Carmen Cuevas, PharmaMar's R&D Director: "We have been working on this new initiative for more than two years now and already have an active molecule that is being testing at the pre-clinical phase".
José María Fernández, President of PharmaMar, commented: "This program could give the company a new opportunity to tackle cancer. We are looking for interfacial inhibitors between PD-1 and PD-L1, and, up to now, nature is the only source of these inhibitors. It could be the first immunological product with this type of target to be administered orally. The results in animal models with the first molecule from this program area already very hopeful".
This new research program positions PharmaMar in a completely new and innovative line of work.
Mechanism of action
The PD-1 protein is found in the immune system's T cells (T-lymphocytes), while PD-LI is found in tumor cells. The bond between PD-1 and PD-L1 causes the immune system to identify the tumor cells as our own body’s tissue, thus preventing lymphocytes from attacking the tumor. The binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 allows the tumor to "escape" the lymphocyte attack and continue to grow.
PharmaMar's molecule blocks the bond between PD-1 and PD-L1 at the interfacial region, so that the immune system can identify the tumor and attack it with the body's own natural resources.
PharmaMar has applied for a patent on its first active molecule and has begun its pre-clinical phase.
Legal warning
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About PharmaMar
Headquartered in Madrid, PharmaMar is a biopharmaceutical company, focused on oncology and committed to research and development which takes its inspiration from the sea to discover molecules with antitumor activity. It is a company that seeks innovative products to provide healthcare professionals with new tools to treat cancer. Its commitment to patients and to research has made it one of the world leaders in the discovery of antitumor drugs of marine origin.
PharmaMar has a pipeline of drug candidates and a robust R&D oncology program. It develops and commercializes Yondelis® in Europe and has other clinical-stage programs under development for several types of solid cancers: lurbinectedin (PM1183), PM184 and PM14. With subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and the United States. PharmaMar wholly owns other companies: GENOMICA, a molecular diagnostics company; Sylentis, dedicated to researching therapeutic applications of gene silencing (RNAi); and a chemical enterprise, Zelnova Zeltia. To learn more about PharmaMar, please visit us at www.pharmamar.com.
Media Contact:
Alfonso Ortín – Communications Director aortin@pharmamar.com Mobile: +34 609493127
Miguel Martínez-Cava – Digital Communication Manager mmartinez-cava@pharmamar.com Mobile: +34 606597464
Phone: +34 918466000
