A breakthrough therapy in clinical oncology
We make use of antisense oligonucleotides for the better of lung cancer patients
Responding to an unmet medical need
Our technology shows great promise for improved treatments
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) counting for 85% of the cases. Most of these tumours are resistant to existing treatments, resulting in many patients not surviving the disease.
Alterations in alternative splicing (AS), a process that leads to the synthesis of different protein variants from a single gene, contribute to all cancer hallmarks. Splicing modulation therapies based on the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) have revolutionised treating many other diseases but haven’t yet been successfully applied to cancer.
At the TAONas-LUAD project we’re developing an application of AON-based splicing modulation in clinical oncology. Our proprietary AONs prevent lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro and inhibit tumour growth in mouse models of human LUAD, showing promising results for developing improved treatments.
Effective and specific targeting of cancer cells
The competitive advantages of our therapy
Wide applicability
Our AONs effectively correct the misregulation of key cancer-related gene(s).
Low resistance
AONs can remain effective despite point mutations in their target sequence.
Low toxicity
Our AONs are extremely specific, which reduces their effects outside the targeted cells.
High effectivity
The promising results of PDX models show that our AONs significantly reduce mortality.
The roadmap for next level lung cancer treatment
We aim at validating our technology through clinical trials
Our work plan consists of eight parts:
1
Optimisation of lead AONs
improving their chemistry, formulation, and administration
5
Definition of IPR and regulatory strategies
to protect our therapy and ensure it complies with all necessary norms
1
Optimisation of lead AONs
improving their chemistry, formulation, and administration
2
Definition of an efficacy profile in vivo to…
2
Definition of an efficacy profile in vivo
to estimate the response versus dose administered
6
Market assessment and lead positioning
to set the ground for commercialising our technology
3
Production of optimised AONs
for using them in studies on regulatory safety and toxicology
4
Preliminary First In Human (FIH)-enabling toxicity studies
for evaluating the applicability of our therapy in patients
3
Production of optimised AONs
for using them in studies on regulatory safety and toxicology
7
Communication and engagement activities
throughout the project for spreading the word about our innovation and reaching our audiences
5
Definition of IPR and regulatory strategies
to protect our therapy and ensure it complies with all necessary norms
6
Market assessment and lead positioning
to set the ground for commercialising our technology
4
Preliminary First In Human (FIH)-enabling toxicity studies
for evaluating the applicability of our therapy in patients
8
Creation of a spin-off company
to advance the development of several cancer treatments
7
Communication and engagement activities
throughout the project for spreading the word about our innovation and reaching our audiences
8
Creation of a spin-off company
to advance the development of several cancer treatments