First-in-class drug slows tumor growth in preclinical study - set for clinic by 2025

20-Jun-2023 - Last updated on 20-Jun-2023 at 15:46 GMT

A small molecule compound has shown to induce strong anti-tumor immune responses – an area where medical need is high.

invIOs GmbH has disclosed data for the first time from its high-potential small molecule program, INV501.

invIOs is a privately held biotechnology company that develops therapies for cancer and said its INV501 comprises a class of novel small molecules that that can selectively enhance tumor-reactive cytotoxicity in preclinical in vivo model systems.

The data show that INV501 significantly inhibits tumor growth, resulting in prolonged survival and increased cure rates even beyond the end of treatment when administered as an oral single agent in an orthotopic murine B16-SIY melanoma model.

Breast cancer

Similarly, in a breast cancer model using EO771 cells, tumor growth was significantly inhibited and survival prolonged even beyond the end of treatment. INV501 is orally available and has good bioavailability as well as a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.

Dr Romana Gugenberger, CMSO of invIOs, said: “These promising preclinical data highlight the exciting potential of invIOs’s novel small molecule, INV501, in solid tumor indications where medical need is high.

“Having filed IP protection for a new chemical entity at the end of 2022, we are seeking to advance the development of the program towards the clinic by 2025 as we strive to bring new treatment options to cancer patients as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

T cell cytotoxicity against melanoma

The data were also presented at the 2023 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research in Turin, Italy, as a poster entitled: “A novel class of small molecules for oral application to enhance tumor-reactive T cell cytotoxicity against melanoma”.

INV501 was identified as part of a phenotypic screen for compounds that can activate T cells. Members of the compound hit series can induce elevated levels of T cell activation markers as well as enhanced secretion of cytokines.

This activation is selective and occurs only in the context of an antigen encounter. INV501 also increases T cell proliferation and strengthens T cell mediated killing of melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner.