Latest news with #PARP
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
BostonGene Announces Collaboration with SWOG Cancer Research Network to Drive Personalized Approaches
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BostonGene, a leader in AI-powered solutions for drug discovery and development, today announced a collaboration with the SWOG Cancer Research Network, a global cancer research community that designs and conducts publicly funded clinical trials, on a new multicohort study titled " S2409, PRISM: PRecIsion in SCLC via a Multicohort Study: Randomized Phase II Studies Evaluating Maintenance Durvalumab with or without Biomarker-Directed Therapy for Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (ES-SCLC)." This study, which is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, aims to redefine the standard of care for patients with ES-SCLC by employing biomarker-driven personalized treatment strategies. 'By combining advanced molecular profiling with AI, we're not only able to classify patients more precisely but also to advance therapy selection and accelerate the development of next-generation treatments." Currently, the standard treatment for ES-SCLC involves combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, followed by maintenance immunotherapy. While this broad approach extends overall survival by 2-3 months, it still results in disease progression in most patients. The PRISM study is designed to utilize novel biomarkers to identify and treat patients who may benefit from the addition of targeted agents, such as PARP inhibitors, to standard therapy. The study will be led by SWOG, conducted within the NCI's National Clinical Trials Network, and chaired by Drs. Anne Chiang, of the Yale Cancer Center, and Alberto Chiappori, of the Moffitt Cancer Center, in conjunction with Translational Medicine chairs Drs. Lauren Byers and Carl Gay, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The trial will enroll up to 900 patients and use BostonGene's AI-powered multiomic platform to identify molecular subtypes, assigning patients to therapy based on their subtype. The platform enables deep characterization of each patient's tumor and immune profile, supporting the selection of more effective therapies and helping to accelerate translational insights that inform future drug development. The trial builds on the ongoing collaborative work between MD Anderson's lung cancer group, including Drs. Byers and Gay, and BostonGene to identify and validate four molecular subtypes of SCLC that exhibit distinct biological and therapeutic profiles. Initial findings from the SWOG S1929 trial demonstrated promising improvements in progression-free survival using this targeted approach. The goal of the upcoming study is to optimize outcomes for each subtype, offering patients more effective and individualized treatments. 'S2409 PRISM will test the hypothesis that we can be more effective in treating extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer by targeting the vulnerabilities of specific molecular subtypes,' said study chair Dr. Chiang, who also serves as SWOG's executive officer overseeing lung cancer and breast cancer research. 'We hope to demonstrate that it's feasible to identify the SCLC subtype in the clinical setting and to use that information to select the best therapy for each patient.' 'Collaborating with SWOG on this landmark study aligns with our mission to deliver innovative, data-driven insights that are transforming cancer care,' said Nathan Fowler, MD, Chief Medical Officer at BostonGene. 'By combining advanced molecular profiling with AI, we're not only able to classify patients more precisely but also to advance therapy selection and accelerate the development of next-generation treatments. This study is poised to reshape the treatment landscape in lung cancer and provide a roadmap of how to build and validate biomarker-driven treatment approaches across cancers.' About BostonGene Corporation BostonGene helps drug developers de-risk and accelerate research and development using a clinically validated AI platform purpose-built for oncology and supported by a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited clinical laboratory. By integrating advanced molecular and immune profiling with clinical data, we uncover actionable insights that inform trial design, optimize patient selection and improve clinical outcomes. Our diagnostic and treatment recommendation solutions are used in clinical settings to personalize care and guide therapy decisions for patients. For more information, visit
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rakovina Therapeutics to Attend BIO International Convention to Advance Strategic Partnering Opportunities
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: RKV) (FSE: 7JO) ('Rakovina' or the 'Company'), a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative cancer therapies through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drug discovery, is pleased to announce that members of its executive team will attend the 2025 BIO International Convention, taking place June 16th – 19th in Boston, Massachusetts. Rakovina Therapeutics' management will participate in one-on-one partnering meetings throughout the conference with leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Company will showcase its pipeline of novel DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors, including drug candidates discovered through its proprietary AI-driven platforms—Deep Docking and Variational AI's generative technology. These collaborations have produced promising compounds with potential applications in DDR-targeted oncology therapies, including candidates capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier and addressing significant unmet medical needs in the treatment of cancer. KT-3000 Series The KT-3000 series is a novel class of dual-function small molecule inhibitors combining PARP and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition in a single agent. Published pre-clinical data demonstrate that lead candidates for the kt-3000 series retain anti-tumor activity in cancers that are resistant to treatment with FDA-approved PARP inhibitors. The KT-3000 program presents an attractive partnering opportunity for companies seeking to expand their oncology portfolios with multi-functional agents that can be developed across a range of solid tumor indications. Rakovina is actively exploring collaborations to accelerate development and broaden the clinical utility of this program. KT-2000AI Series The KT-2000 series features highly selective PARP1 inhibitors designed to penetrate the blood-brain-barrier, addressing a critical unmet need in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors. The Company previously announced that it had used its proprietary AI algorithm to screen billions of potential drug candidates to identify potential best-in-class lead candidates. By targeting PARP1 specifically—while sparing PARP2—the KT-2000 compounds are anticipated to deliver potent anti-tumor activity with an improved safety profile. The program is well positioned for strategic partnerships focused on advancing therapies for glioblastoma and other CNS-involved cancers, where few targeted options exist. KT-5000AI Series The KT-5000 series focuses on highly selective ATR inhibitors, a key target in the DNA damage response pathway. ATR inhibition has emerged as a promising strategy to exploit tumor vulnerabilities in cancers. Rakovina's AD-derived KT-5000 candidates are engineered for optimal selectivity and tolerability, positioning them for combination use with other DDR-targeted agents or standard-of-care therapies. The program represents a significant opportunity to address a wide range of solid tumors with high unmet medical need. 'The Rakovina Therapeutics team has advanced multiple programs from discovery to pre-clinical validation in our laboratories at the University of British Columbia. We look forward to engaging with potential partners who share our vision of accelerating breakthrough therapies through the integration of artificial intelligence and oncology expertise,' said Jeffrey Bacha, Executive Chairman. 'BIO provides an opportunity to both continue and initiate strategic discussions to drive long-term value through collaboration.' Rakovina's platform has already attracted interest from multiple pharmaceutical companies seeking differentiated assets and AI-powered discovery capabilities. The Company anticipates that upcoming milestones—including lead optimization data and new target nominations—will further enhance its strategic positioning. For more information or to schedule a meeting with Rakovina Therapeutics management at BIO, please contact: Michelle Seltenrich, Director, Corporate Development – About BIO International Convention The BIO International Convention is the largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology, representing the full ecosystem of biotech with 20,000 industry leaders from across the globe. In a time of remarkable discovery and progress, the biotechnology industry stands at the forefront of a revolution changing how we live, heal, and care. From pioneering treatments offering hope to millions, to sustainable agricultural innovations to feed a growing population, or environmental breakthroughs securing our future, biotech drives positive change faster than ever. This progress is not just a change but a promise for a brighter future. The world is ready. For more information: About Rakovina Therapeutics Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical research company focused on the development of innovative cancer treatments. Our work is based on unique technologies for targeting the DNA-damage response powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) using the proprietary Deep-Docking™ and Enki™ platforms. By using AI, we can review and optimize drug candidates at a much greater pace than ever before. The Company has established a pipeline of distinctive DNA-damage response inhibitors with the goal of advancing one or more drug candidates into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners. Further information may be found at Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice Regarding Rakovina Therapeutics Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes forward-looking statements regarding the company and its respective business, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed business plan of the company and other statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans,' 'is expected,' 'expects,' 'scheduled,' 'intends,' 'contemplates,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'proposes' or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events, or results 'may,' 'could,' 'would,' 'might,' or 'will' be taken, occur, or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of the company. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, including risks regarding the medical device industry, economic factors, regulatory factors, the equity markets generally, and risks associated with growth and competition. Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated, or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The reader is referred to the company's most recent filings on SEDAR for a more complete discussion of all applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the company's profile page at For Further Information Contact:Michelle Seltenrich, BSc MBADirector, Corporate DevelopmentIR@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scorpion, fresh off Lilly deal, spins out startup Antares
This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Fresh off a multibillion-dollar deal with Eli Lilly, cancer drug startup Scorpion Therapeutics is trying for an encore, debuting a successor company on Tuesday that's carrying forward much of its previous work. Called Antares Therapeutics, the startup is launching with $177 million in financing from nearly a dozen investors, among them previous backers Omega Funds and Atlas Venture. Antares will use that cash to advance a group of small molecule drugs Scorpion had been working on, as well as programs the company had been advancing through a 2022 partnership with AstraZeneca. Its work will specifically focus on cancer and other unspecified 'serious diseases,' according to a statement. The company didn't divulge more details about its pipeline, only noting on its website that its first program should begin human testing in 2026 and multiple others are in preclinical development. In a statement, CEO Adam Friedman, who previously ran Scorpion, said the company's research is "fueled by discoveries in drugging previously inaccessible targets.' Antares could also get future milestone payments and royalties from a pair of cancer drugs involved in a Scorpion alliance with Pierre Fabre Laboratories. Another startup, Moma Therapeutics, has rights to a PARP inhibitor Scorpion was advancing, too. Scorpion was co-founded in 2020 by Gary Glick, who helped the company raise nearly $300 million in venture funding before departing in 2021. Prior to Scorpion, Glick led Lycera, which formed a 2015 deal with Celgene, and IFM Therapeutics, which has spun off multiple companies that were acquired by larger drugmakers. Glick went on to lead inflammatory drug developer Odyssey Therapeutics, which has been trying to go public. In the meantime, Scorpion was helmed by Friedman, who helped the company raise additional funding, form multiple partnerships and generate six cancer drug candidates, three of which are in clinical testing, according to its statement. Scorpion sold one, dubbed STX-678, to Eli Lilly in January for as much as $2.5 billion. As part of that deal, it formed a new company holding its other assets and inheriting its employees. That company, now known as Antares, is supported by Scorpion's old shareholders and also led by Friedman. 'Antares will build on what Scorpion started: combining cutting edge computational and experimental chemistry and biology with laser-focused clinical development,' said Keith Flaherty, a board member and director of clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, in a statement. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute introduces liquid biopsy test
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) in the US has introduced liquid biopsy, a blood test that rapidly identifies cancerous tumours and circulating cells in the bloodstream. This test may be used to evaluate colorectal, lung, prostate, breast, and blood cancers. Liquid biopsy represents an advancement in cancer diagnosis and treatment, utilising a simple draw of blood to test for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). The introduction of liquid biopsy at FCS underscores the practice's focus on expanding its comprehensive genomic testing offerings, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy, guiding physicians in treatment decisions, and the patients' clinical outcomes. FCS claims to have broadened its testing options for the 250 physicians serving more than 102,000 individuals across Florida, since the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) offerings at its centralised in-house laboratory in 2021. The practice has seen over 4.2 million annual visits and recently surpassed over 16,000 molecular tests processed at its Fort Myers lab facility. FCS genetics laboratory associate director Jennifer Gass said: 'Liquid biopsy is especially effective for providing genetic information quickly for various types of advanced cancers to help physicians assess and better target treatments that may work best and monitor patient response. 'Additionally, because it is minimally invasive and easy to repeat on an ongoing basis, liquid biopsy is significantly more comfortable for patients.' The expansion of the NGS testing menu at the FCS includes the addition of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing, which analyses tumour DNA to determine potential treatment responses to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. This class of drugs specifically targets cancer cells. Other additions include a small heme NGS panel that identifies mutations related to myeloproliferative neoplasms and a quantitative assay for monitoring BCR-ABL gene fusions post-treatment in specific blood cancers. "Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute introduces liquid biopsy test" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ASCO 2025: GSK's Jemperli fails to show OS benefit in 1L advanced ovarian cancer
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2025, held from 31 May to 3 June in Chicago, Illinois, updated efficacy and safety data from the international, double-blind, randomised Phase III FIRST clinical trial were presented on 1 June. The trial evaluated the combination of GSK's Jemperli (dostarlimab), a monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death protein 1, and Zejula (niraparib), a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (PtCh) as a first-line therapy in patients with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). OC is a deadly gynaecological malignancy, with approximately 90% of cases classified as epithelial. According to GlobalData's Ovarian Cancer: Opportunity Assessment and Forecast report, the number of diagnosed incident cases of OC in the seven major markets (7MM: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US) is expected to rise from 67,762 in 2025 to 71,308 by 2032. In the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 study, a total of 1,138 patients with advanced OC were randomised (1:1:2) to experimental arm 1 (PtCh + placebo and placebo maintenance; dropped from the study due to PARP inhibitor approval), arm 2 (PtCh + placebo and Zejula maintenance; n=385), and comparator arm 3 (PtCh + Jemperli and Jemperli/Zejula maintenance; n=753). The efficacy of arms 2 and 3 (intention-to-treat population) was evaluated based on the primary endpoint - investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). The PFS showed a statistically significant difference between arm 3 and arm 2 (median 20.6 months versus 19.2; hazard ratio [HR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.99, P = 0.0351), with a median duration follow-up of 53.1 months. The key secondary endpoint, overall survival (OS), had reached 57% maturity and was not statistically significant (median 44.4 versus 45.4 months; HR 1.01, 95% CI, 0.86–1.19, P = 0.9060). In the maintenance period, treatment-related adverse events above Grade 3 were reported in 41.1% of patients in arm 3 and 37.2% in arm 2. The study concludes that adding Jemperli to PtCh and Zejula provides a statistically significant but clinically modest PFS benefit, with no improvement in OS for newly diagnosed advanced OC patients. The result was not unexpected, as immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in OC, which is considered poorly immunogenic. At the end of 2024, Merck & Co's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib) also failed to meet expectations in the KEYLYNK-001 study as a first-line therapy for OC, showing no OS benefit, similar to findings from the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 study. Currently, no anti-PD-(L)1 therapies are approved for OC, and demonstrating a positive OS outcome is critical to gaining market share in this broad indication. A key difference between the two studies lies in patient selection. KEYLYNK-001 enrolled patients with breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutations, whereas the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 trial included all-comers. To improve its chances of success, GSK made multiple modifications to the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 trial design, including delaying readouts by several years. Initially, the primary endpoint was PFS in PD-L1-positive patients. In 2020, it was split into two groups, PFS in all-comers and PD-L1 expressers, before ultimately shifting the focus solely to all-comers. Another concern is the Jemperli and Zejula combination in the second-line setting for OC. A Phase III trial (NSGO-AVATAR) evaluating this combination was withdrawn due to a lack of financial support, suggesting GSK may not be optimistic about its prospects in the broader gynaecological cancer space. According to GlobalData's analyst consensus forecast, global sales for Jemperli and Zejula are projected to reach $2.56 billion and $1.26 billion, respectively, by 2030. In comparison, AstraZeneca's Lynparza and blockbuster PD-1 blocker Merck's Keytruda are expected to reach global sales of $2.4 billion and $22.71 billion, respectively. GSK acquired both Jemperli (co-developed with AnaptysBio) and Zejula through its $5.31 billion acquisition of Tesaro in 2019. After the FDA's accelerated approval in 2021 for patients with mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer as a second-line treatment, Jemperli has become a cornerstone of GSK's cancer portfolio alongside Zejula. In its most recent financial report, Jemperli sales increased 15% to $285 million in Q1 2025 due to broad-label expansion in first-line endometrial cancer regardless of biomarker status in the US. However, Jemperli holds a distinct advantage with its OS data over its main competitor, Keytruda, which also secured broad expansion in 2024. To expand Jemperli's success beyond endometrial cancer, GSK will need to wait for positive Phase III results from other ongoing clinical trials: GALAXIES LUNG 301, AZUR-2, MITO 33, JADE, ROCSAN and COSTAR Lung. "ASCO 2025: GSK's Jemperli fails to show OS benefit in 1L advanced ovarian cancer" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
