MITOCANS – LEAD CANDIDATE CNC332

Mitocans’ lead candidate CNC332 selectively targets tumour cells’ mitochondria, the cellular substructures responsible for bioenergy production. Mitochondria are critical for cell survival, and recognised as potentially valuable drug targets for cancer therapy. CNC332 is a vitamin E analogue and proven anti-cancer agent, both in the laboratory and in animal models.

CNC332 targets a mitochondrial component critical to tumour survival.  As this component (Complex II in the electron transport chain) is less critical to non-tumour cells, CNCC332 spares normal cells but is lethal to cancer cells.  CNC332 is the only developmental drug in its class, offering hope for the resolution of difficult-to-treat tumours including malignant mesothelioma.

Cancer cells may become resistant to chemotherapy, especially those targeting the apoptosis machinery due to these pathways’ high degree of redundancy. As CNC332 targets Complex II, development of resistance is likely to prove more difficult due to the critical nature and uniqueness of the target molecular complex.

CNC332 is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.

Cancure has two patent families protecting the Mitocans assets. Members of these families have been granted patents in the US, Japan and Australia, and are pending in Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and South Korea.