GALECTIN PROGRAM – LEAD CANDIDATE CNC225
Secreted by tumour cells, galectins protect the tumour from immune attack by destroying immune cells. Galectin inhibitors reduce this protection by promoting immune cell survival, thereby restoring immune response to the tumour and increasing the likelihood of tumour elimination. Cancure’s lead Galectin CNC225 reduces the activity of Galectins when used in combination with immuno-therapeutics.
CNC225 has a dual mechanism – a secondary effect of this drug candidate is inhibition of the growth of blood vessels to the tumour.
The next stage of development for CNC225 is formal preclinical toxicology in large animal models, to ensure that the drug candidate is suitable to administer to humans prior to commencement of a Ph1 clinical study.
The Galectin CNC225 drug candidate that Cancure proposes to take into Ph1 clinical development derives from a molecule that has been used clinically in other (non-cancer) indications, and should therefore have a much more favourable risk profile compared to other Galectin inhibitors in the global pipeline.
Cancure has several other novel Galectin-inhibiting compounds in early-stage testing for potential utility in cancer and other diseases.
Cancure has a patent family protecting the Galectin assets, including CNC225. Australian and US patents have been granted, with applications pending in Japan, Europe, New Zealand and Canada.