Independent studies establish a differentiated mechanism for clinical-stage NEV-801 and reveal broader potential for Neovia’s proprietary oncology and ADC payload portfolio.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — September 2026 — Neovia Oncology LLC today announced the filing of a new patent application following independent confirmation that its clinical-stage oncology compound NEV-801 inhibits both human Topoisomerase I and Topoisomerase II through catalytic inhibition rather than the interfacial-poison mechanism associated with conventional topoisomerase-directed cancer drugs.
The discovery materially changes the scientific understanding of NEV-801 and the broader Neovia compound portfolio. NEV-801 has already completed Phase I(a) clinical evaluation in heavily pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors. Behind it, Neovia holds proprietary rights to additional high-potency compounds now being evaluated as next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) payloads.
The newly filed patent seeks to protect the dual catalytic inhibition mechanism and its application across Neovia’s proprietary chemistry.
A Different Approach to Two of Oncology’s Most Established Targets
Topoisomerase I and II are among the most extensively validated targets in cancer medicine. Many established topoisomerase-directed therapies act as interfacial poisons trapping enzyme-DNA cleavage complexes and generating DNA damage.
NEV-801 and its broader portfolio behaves differently.
TopoGEN, Inc., www.topogen.com an independent laboratory specializing in topoisomerase research, tested NEV-801 specifically to distinguish catalytic inhibition from interfacial poisoning. The studies demonstrated catalytic inhibition of both human Top1 and Top2α. No confirmed interfacial-poison behavior was observed for either enzyme. Rather than trapping the DNA cleavage complex, NEV-801 inhibits catalytic turnover. Studies confirmed that both enzymes are targeted by NEV-801 and that the compound is acting as a catalytic inhibitor. Its report further identifies NEV-801 as a dual catalytic inhibitor candidate and describes the findings as potentially significant in a physiological cellular setting.
Dr. Mark Muller, a longtime topoisomerase researcher with more than 100 publications in the field dating to the 1980s, summarized the significance:
“A potent and well-tolerated molecule that targets and catalytically inhibits both major topoismerases (Top1, Top2) could represent a paradigm shift in oncology, delivering the efficacy of Topoisomerase targeting without the DNA-damage liabilities of conventional therapeutics"
From One Clinical Asset to a Broader Oncology Platform
UThe significance to Neovia extends beyond NEV-801.
NEV-801 emerged from an extensive medicinal-chemistry program that also produced additional proprietary compounds with markedly different potency characteristics. Several are now being evaluated for their potential as ADC payloads.
TThe discovery that NEV-801 targets Top1 and Top2 through catalytic rather than conventional poison activity provides Neovia with a differentiated mechanistic foundation from which to develop both its clinical program and its next generation of targeted oncology compounds.
“This discovery changes the way we see twenty years of our own science,” said Trevor G. Blake, Founder and CEO of Neovia Oncology. “NEV-801 is no longer simply an interesting clinical-stage molecule targeting two familiar enzymes. Independent mechanistic work has shown us that it is targeting them differently.”
“NEV-801 has already provided us with clinical experience in humans. Behind it is a proprietary family of compounds that includes substantially more potent molecules now attracting interest in ADC applications. That combination of clinical experience, differentiated mechanism and high-potency chemistry is why we have moved quickly to expand our intellectual-property position.”
Blake added:
“The oncology field knows Topoisomerase I. It knows Topoisomerase II. What we now bring to the field is a different way of targeting both.”
About Neovia Oncology
Neovia Oncology LLC is a privately held U.S. biotechnology company developing oncology therapeutics based on a proprietary portfolio of topoisomerase-directed compounds. Its lead investigational compound, NEV-801, has completed Phase I(a) clinical evaluation. Neovia is also advancing additional compounds from its proprietary chemistry portfolio for potential application in targeted drug-delivery technologies, including antibody-drug conjugates.
NEV-801 is investigational and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority. Its safety and efficacy have not been established.
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