Elimusertib

SAN DIEGO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blacksmith Medicines, Inc. (Blacksmith), a leading biopharma dedicated to discovering and developing medicines targeting metalloenzymes, today announced preclinical data on its oncology program targeting flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1), a structure-specific metallonuclease that cleaves 5' DNA flaps during replication and repair, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024, taking place April 5-10 at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego CA. "FEN1 has been identified as an important therapeutic metalloenzyme involved in DNA replication and repair but previous drug discovery efforts have been hampered by chemistry limitations resulting in inhibitors lacking potency and selectivity," said Zachary Zimmerman, Ph.D. CEO of Blacksmith. "Using our metalloenzyme fragment-based drug discovery approach, we have identified a highly potent and selective inhibitor of FEN1 having synergies with multiple DDR drug classes that include inhibitors of PARP, PARG, USP1, and ATR." The Blacksmith fragment-based drug discovery platform identified a novel metal-binding pharmacophore that binds to the two magnesium ions in the FEN1 active site. Further elaboration using fragment growth strategies resulted in highly potent and selective inhibitors. The current lead (BSM-1516) is ~65-fold more potent against FEN1 than its related enzyme Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) in biochemical assays (IC50 of 7 nM and 460 nM, respectively), an improvement of more than an order of magnitude in selectivity compared to earlier efforts. FEN1 target engagement in live cells was validated by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA EC50 of 24 nM). Inhibition of FEN1 led to its increased association with chromatin in S-phase cells and recruitment of PARP1 enzyme. In clonogenic assay, BRCA2-deficient DLD1 cells were ~15-fold more sensitive to FEN1 inhibition than their isogenic BRCA2-wild-type counterparts (EC50 of 350 nM and 5 µM, respectively), confirming the increased susceptibility of HR deficient cancer cells to FEN1 inhibition. Treatment of BRCA2-deficient but not wild-type DLD1 cells with BSM-1516 resulted in cell cycle arrest accompanied by DNA damage signaling and accumulation of chromatin-bound RPA32, a marker of ssDNA. In FEN1-inhibitor-anchored CRISPR screen, it was observed that perturbations in EXO1, USP1, PARP1 and HR pathway genes sensitized cells to FEN1 inhibition. Synergistic relationships of BSM-1516 and its combination potential were further explored in viability studies with a panel of DDR inhibitors (n=25) in BRCA2-proficient and deficient cell lines. Strong synergy was identified with multiple drug classes that included inhibitors of USP1 (KSQ-4279), PARP (Olaparib, Niraparib, Talazoparib, AZD5305), PARG (PDD 00017273) and ATR (AZD6738, VE-822, Elimusertib). In vitro ADME assays and in vivo PK studies showed that BSM-1516 has properties suitable for in vivo testing, either as a single agent or in combination with synergistic DDR inhibitors, an investigation that is currently underway. Poster presentation details Abstract Number: 7148 Title: "Small molecule inhibitor of FEN1 nuclease utilizing a novel metal binding pharmacophore synergizes with inhibitors of USP1, PARP, PARG and ATR" Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics Session Title: Novel Antitumor Agents 6 Session Date and Time: Wednesday April 10, 2024 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Poster Section 23 Poster Board Number: 10 About FEN1 Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) is a structure-specific di-magnesium metallonuclease that cleaves 5' DNA flaps during replication and repair. FEN1 is an attractive target for development of anticancer therapeutics because it is overexpressed in many tumor types and has a large number of synthetic lethality partners including genes in Homologous Recombination (HR) pathway. About metalloenzymes and the Blacksmith platform Metalloenzymes utilize a metal ion cofactor in the enzyme active site to perform essential biological functions. This diverse class of targets has historically been difficult to drug due to small molecule chemistry limitations that have plagued the industry. The Blacksmith metalloenzyme platform has solved this problem by leveraging the following: A large proprietary fragment library of metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs); A comprehensive database containing a full characterization of the metalloenzyme genome including functions, metal cofactors, and associations to disease; A first-of-its-kind metallo-CRISPR library of custom single guide RNAs; An industry-leading metalloenzyme computational toolkit for docking, modeling and structure-based drug design; and A robust and blocking intellectual property estate covering bioinorganic, medicinal, and computational chemistry approaches for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines. About Blacksmith Medicines At Blacksmith Medicines, we are developing medicines targeting metal-dependent enzymes. Over 30% of known enzymes are metalloenzymes, covering all major enzyme classes: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases. Metal ions, including magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, are the essential ingredient in these metalloenzymes. We recognized a large unmet need for new chemical matter and innovative approaches to drug this important class of enzymes. Our purpose-built platform for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines combines, for the first time in industry, a focused library of metal-binding pharmacophores with proprietary computational modeling approaches to rapidly and rationally design small molecule inhibitors that interact with key metal ions in the enzyme's active site. Our comprehensive knowledge of the metal environment and key active site interactions enables Blacksmith to rapidly build potent and selective inhibitors in a stepwise and predictable manner. Blacksmith has executed strategic drug discovery collaborations with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Cyteir Therapeutics Inc., Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Zoetis LLC., and has been awarded non-dilutive Federal funding agreements with CARB-X and NIH/NIAID. Blacksmith investors include Lilly, Evotec A.G., MP Healthcare Partners, MagnaSci Ventures, and Alexandria Venture Investments. For further information, please visit the company's website and LinkedIn Media Contact: Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Blacksmith Medicines

Abstracts: ND04, 5047, CT276, 2116, 4035, 433, CT126, 1964, 925, CT228, 311, 5043, CT082 Berlin, April 11, 2023 – Bayer will present latest research across its oncology portfolio at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2023 Annual Meeting , taking place from April 14-19 in Orlando (FL), USA. Bayer is advancing its oncology R&D efforts in three scientific areas that have the potential to address unmet needs in cancer patients: next-generation Immuno-Oncology, Targeted Radionuclide Therapies and Precision Molecular Oncology. Data from all three areas of scientific focus will be showcased during this year’s meeting. Bayer is progressing novel research around its prostate cancer treatment darolutamide. The presentation highlights the synergistic anti-cancer effects of a PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen)-actinium-225 conjugate in combination with darolutamide in preclinical prostate cancer models. Darolutamide, which is jointly developed by Bayer and Orion Corporation, is an oral androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), who are at high risk of developing metastatic disease and for the treatment of men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Bayer will present the first clinical Phase 1 results on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inhibitor BAY 2416964, the company’s most advanced Immuno-Oncology program. A focus of the presentation will be on the target engagement results and pharmacokinetics from its ongoing monotherapy dose-escalation study to explore a potential optimal dose and schedule to effectively inhibit AhR. These results, along with a mathematical model-informed approach have supported the currently ongoing dose expansion for BAY 2416964. In the New Drugs on the Horizon session at AACR, Bayer will present preclinical data on its novel selective diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) zeta inhibitor BAY 2965501, which is under Phase 1 clinical evaluation. The enzyme DGKzeta is a lipid kinase that can down-modulate T-cell activation by catalyzing the conversion of diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid, thus acting as a ligand-independent, intracellular immune checkpoint. An inhibition of DGKzeta has been demonstrated to enhance T-cell priming against suboptimal tumor antigens and has the potential to overcome multiple immune-suppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment. Based on these data, a first-in-human trial with BAY 2965501 in patients with advanced solid tumors was initiated and is currently enrolling patients. Both small molecule inhibitors in Immuno-Oncology are being jointly developed in a strategic research alliance with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany. From its focus area Precision Molecular Oncology, Bayer will show new preclinical data on its mutEGFR/HER2 inhibitor, which was developed in collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge (MA), USA. BAY 2927088 is a reversible small molecule inhibitor that is currently being evaluated in a first-in-human, Phase 1 clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with mutations in epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR & HER2) including exon20 insertions and point mutations. For the first time, Bayer will present the design of the clinical trial and the preclinical activity profile of the inhibitor in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ( HER2) mutant NSCLC. Bayer will also report new data looking at larotrectinib, a highly selective and central nervous system (CNS)-active tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor, approved for the treatment of patients with TRK fusion solid tumors, exploring the concordance between tissue and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing for neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions from samples in larotrectinib clinical trials. Additional research to be presented from Bayer’s Targeted Alpha Therapy program evaluates the antitumor efficacy and potential benefit of the combination of radium-223 with 177Lu-PSMA-617 in a preclinical model of bone metastatic prostate cancer. The combination of radium-223 and 177Lu PSMA imaging and therapy (I&T) is currently being investigated in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in a phase 1/2 trial (AlphaBet, NCT05383079). Key presentations on Bayer research to be presented at AACR 2023 are listed below: Oral presentation: BAY 2965501: A highly selective DGKzeta inhibitor for cancer immuno-therapy with first-in-class potential Abstract ND04, Session DDT001 – New Drugs on the Horizon: Part 1 Sunday, April 16, 2:05 PM – 2:20 PM (EDT), Tangerine Ballroom 2 (WF2) - Convention Center Poster presentations: PSMA-targeted actinium-225 conjugate (225Ac-pelgifatamab) potentiates the antitumor efficacy of darolutamide in hormone-dependent and -independent prostate cancer models Abstract #5047 / 14, Session PO.ET08.02 - Theranostics and Radionuclides/Pharmacologic Approaches Tuesday, April 18, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 19, Convention Center Preliminary analysis of pharmacokinetic (PK) and target engagement biomarkers from a first-in-human Phase I study of immunomodulatory aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inhibitor BAY2416964 Abstract #CT276 / 16, Session PO.CT01.04 - Phase I Clinical Trials 2 Tuesday, April 18, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 47, Convention Center Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) activation in T effector cells as a target engagement biomarker for the DGKζ inhibitor BAY 2965501 in clinical trials Abstract #2116 / 19, Session PO.CL01.11 - Biomarkers for Elucidation of Tumor Biology and Metastasis Monday, April 17, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (EDT), Section 38, Convention Center Preclinical activity of BAY 2927088 in HER2 mutant non-small cell lung cancer Abstract #4035 / 9, Session PO.ET09.08 - Tyrosine Kinase and Phosphatase Inhibitors 2 Tuesday, April 18, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT), Section 21, Convention Center Mechanisms of resistance to BAY 2927088, the first reversible inhibitor targeting EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations in non-small cell lung cancer Abstract #433 / 28, Session PO.ET03.02 - Drug Resistance in Molecular Targeted Therapies 2 Sunday, April 16, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 15, Convention Center An open-label, first-in-human study of BAY2927088 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an EGFR and/or HER2 mutation Abstract #CT126 / 14, Session PO.CTP01.02 - Phase I Clinical Trials in Progress Monday, April 17, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 46, Convention Center Racial and ethnic trends in next-generation sequencing (NGS) utilization among adult patients with selected advanced tumor types: a large commercial database analysis Abstract #1964 / 5, Session PO.PR01.02 - Cancer Disparities Research Monday, April 17, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT), Section 28, Convention Center NTRK gene fusion in adults and pediatrics with solid tumors: a record linkage study of expression frequency and patient characteristics using the Auria Biobank in Finland Abstract #925 / 8, Session PO.CL11.01 - Analyses Using Clinical and Genomic Databases Sunday, April 16, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 38, Convention Center Concordance between tissue and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing for neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in larotrectinib (laro) clinical trials Abstract #CT228 / 18, Session PO.CT02.02 - Phase II Clinical Trials 2 Tuesday, April 18, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT), Section 47, Convention Center Optimization of treatment schedule for the combination therapy of ATR inhibitor elimusertib and PARP inhibitor niraparib in preclinical tumor models Abstract #311 / 13, Session: Targeting Replication Stress and the Immune Microenvironment Sunday, April 16, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 11, Convention Center Radium-223 demonstrates increased antitumor activity in combination with 177Lu-PSMA-617 in the intratibial LNCaP xenograft model of bone metastatic prostate cancer Abstract #5043 / 10, Session PO.ET08.02 - Theranostics and Radionuclides/Pharmacologic Approaches Tuesday, April 18, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT), Section 19, Convention Center Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and cytokine assessment from a Phase III study of copanlisib in combination with rituximab in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) – associations with survival endpoints Abstract #CT082 / 10, Session PO.CT03.01 - Phase III and Pediatric Clinical Trials Monday, April 17, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT), Section 47, Convention Center About Oncology at Bayer Bayer is committed to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments. The company has the passion and determination to develop innovative medicines that help improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. The oncology franchise at Bayer includes six marketed products across various indications and several compounds in different stages of clinical development. Bayer focuses its research activities on first-in-class innovations across the following scientific platforms: Precision Molecular Oncology, Targeted Alpha Therapies, and Immuno-Oncology. Across the areas of focus, we have several prostate cancer treatments on the market or in development, with the goal of extending survival while limiting side effects of treatment throughout the different stages of the disease. Another key focus at Bayer is on innovative precision oncology treatments, with an approved TRK inhibitor exclusively designed to treat tumors that have an NTRK gene fusion, the oncogenic driver of tumor growth and spread. The company’s approach to research prioritizes targets and pathways with the potential to impact the way that cancer is treated. About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com . Find more information at https://pharma.bayer.com Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bayer Follow us on Twitter: @BayerPharma Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com . The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.