Targinta selects lead drug candidate for triple-negative breast cancer
The preclinical stage oncology biotech company Targinta has selected its first lead drug candidate, TARG10, a therapeutic antibody targeting integrin a10b1. TARG10 has shown strong activity on cancer cells and in preclinical tumor models, with significant inhibitory effects on both growth and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer models.
Xintela, of which Targinta is a wholly owned subsidiary, has previously announced positive preclinical results in triple-negative breast cancer with function-blocking antibodies targeting integrin a10b1. Targinta has now selected a lead candidate, TARG10, which displays excellent pharmaceutical as well as pharmacological properties. Efficacy experiments confirm strong inhibitory effects on the growth, proliferation and migration of cancer cells, as well as reduction of tumor growth and metastasis in preclinical triple-negative breast cancer models.
The therapeutic effect elicited by Targinta's antibodies, including TARG10, are protected by the PCT patent application WO 2020/212416 for which the European Patent Office (EPO) has recently issued an International Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRP), which acknowledges novelty and inventive step for all claims. This means that the prospects for granted patents based on the PCT application are very good.
"The selection of TARG10 is a very important milestone for Targinta. This first-in-class antibody targets a novel tumor-associated antigen, integrin a10b1. The effect of TARG10 on metastasis support the potential of the drug candidate to become a new therapeutic option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. With a strong IP portfolio protecting Targinta's exclusive rights to develop anti-cancer antibodies towards the integrin receptor, TARG10 now enters preclinical development for future clinical studies in cancer patients", said Per Norlén, CEO of Targinta.
Integrin a10b1 is a collagen-binding cell surface receptor that is important for several cell functions including proliferation and migration. It is over-expressed on the cell surface in certain aggressive cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma.
Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancer diagnoses and has a very poor prognosis. It is more aggressive than other types of breast cancer, being more prone to metastasize, and has a higher tendency to relapse following treatment. As a consequence, there is an urgent need to find new treatments that improve the survival and quality of life for these patients.
For further information please contact:
Per Norlén, CEO
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +46 46 275 65 00
This information is of such nature that Xintela AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 09:00 a.m. CEST on 15 October 2021.
About Targinta
Targinta is a preclinical stage oncology biotech company, developing first-in-class therapeutic antibodies for treatment of aggressive cancers such as glioblastoma and triple-negative breast cancer. The pipeline includes TARG10, which is a humanized function-blocking antibody in preclinical development targeting intergrin a10b1, a tumor-associated antigen protected by Targinta's IP portfolio. In addition, Targinta's pipeline includes a preclinical program to develop an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting intergrin a10b1. Targinta is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xintela AB (publ) and is headquartered in Lund, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.targinta.se.
About Xintela
Xintela develops innovative and patent protected cell therapies and targeted cancer therapies based on the marker technology platform XINMARKÒ. The platform is built on specific cell surface proteins (integrins) and more than 25 years of research and development. Xintela uses the marker technology to select and quality assure stem cells (XSTEM) to develop stem cell therapies for diseases that today lack efficient treatment options, including the joint disease osteoarthritis (OA). Xintela has built an in-house GMP-facility for manufacturing of stem cell products and is preparing a First in Human clinical study on patients with knee OA. Xintela is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm since 22 March 2016. Xintela's Certified Adviser at Nasdaq First North Growth Market is Erik Penser Bank AB, +46 8-463 80 00, [email protected].
