Sareum TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor SDC-1802 Demonstrates Anti-tumour Activity in Multiple Cancer Disease Models

• Data indicates SDC-1802 works via a novel immunotherapeutic mechanism of action
• Preclinical results to be presented at the 2019 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Cancer Conference

Sareum Holdings plc, the specialist small molecule drug development business, is pleased to announce that it will present new preclinical data from its SDC-1802 TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor cancer research programme at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) National Cancer Institute (NCI) European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) International Conference, to be held 26-30 October 2019 in Boston, USA.

On Tuesday 29 October 2019, Sareum’s CEO, Dr Tim Mitchell, will present a poster* that describes how SAR-20351, a novel selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor discovered by Sareum, significantly reduces tumour growth in disease models of many cancers, including those of the pancreas, colon, skin and kidney, plus B-cell lymphoma. SAR-20351 was formally selected as preclinical development candidate SDC-1802 in September 2018.

These positive results were seen when SAR-20351/SDC-1802 was dosed orally, as a monotherapy, or in combination with chemotherapy. The studies indicate that inhibition of the TYK2/JAK1 pathway is a novel mechanism that promotes an anti-tumour effect by activating the local immune system to attack cancer cells. These findings provide support for TYK2/JAK1 inhibition as a potential new immunotherapy approach and for the further development of SDC-1802 as a novel cancer therapeutic.

* Poster Session C: Therapeutic Agents – Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors, 12.30-4.00pm
https://eventpilotadmin.com/web/page.php?page=Session&project=AACR19MT&id=s73
“Immunotherapeutic effects of the TYK2 inhibitor SAR-20351 in syngeneic tumour models.”
Abstract C086, Poster Board #86

Full abstracts will be available on 16 October 2019, 4.30pm Eastern Daylight Time.

Sareum’s CEO, Dr Tim Mitchell, commented: “We are pleased that our research has shown that our TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, SDC-1802, induces a significant reduction of tumour growth in preclinical models of many cancer types. This activity is a result of a novel immunotherapeutic mechanism of action displayed by the compound and is important as immunotherapy is rapidly becoming a major new method of cancer treatment. Our data suggest that our TYK2/JAK1 inhibitors also offer the potential advantage of oral delivery; this contrasts with currently marketed cancer immunotherapies, which can only be dosed by injection. These encouraging results further support our SDC-1802 TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor cancer programme and we are delighted to be presenting them at this important cancer conference, at which many representatives of leading pharma and biotech companies will be present.”

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014

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Notes for editors:

Sareum is a specialist drug development company delivering targeted small molecule therapeutics to improve the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. The Company aims to generates value through licensing its candidates to international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies at the preclinical or early clinical trials stage.

Sareum is advancing internal programmes focused on distinct dual tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) / Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitors through preclinical development as therapies for autoimmune diseases (SDC-1801) and cancers (SDC-1802). The Company is targeting first human clinical trials in each indication in 2020.

Sareum also has an economic interest in SRA737, a clinical-stage oral, selective Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitor that targets cancer cell replication and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Preliminary data suggest SRA737 may have broad application in combination with other oncology and immune-oncology drugs in genetically defined patients. SRA737 was discovered and initially developed by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research in collaboration with Sareum, and with funding from Cancer Research UK. SRA737 was licensed by CRT Pioneer Fund (CPF) to Sierra Oncology, in a $328.5m plus royalties licence deal, with Sareum eligible to receive 27.5% of all payments to CPF under the agreement.

Sareum Holdings plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, trading under the ticker SAR. For further information, please visit www.sareum.co.uk

Cancer Immunotherapy, also known as immuno-oncology, is a form of cancer treatment that uses the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer. Cancer Immunotherapy can:

• Educate the immune system to recognise and attack specific cancer cells;
• Boost immune cells to help them eliminate cancer; and
• Provide the body with additional components to enhance the immune response.

Unleashing the power of the immune system is considered to be a smart way to fight cancer because:

• The immune system is precise, so it is possible for it to target cancer cells exclusively while sparing healthy cells;
• The immune system can adapt continuously and dynamically, just like cancer does, so if a tumour manages to escape detection, the immune system can re-evaluate and launch a new attack; and
• The immune system’s “memory” allows it to remember what cancer cells look like, so it can target and eliminate the cancer if it returns.

(Source: The Cancer Research Institute, www.cancerresesearch.org)

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