Qurient Therapeutics and the National Cancer Institute Partner for Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Q901 Combined with TROP2-ADC
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Qurient Co. Ltd. (KRX: 115180), a biotechnology company based in Korea, has established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Their collaboration aims to explore the potential of Q901, Qurient’s proprietary CDK7 inhibitor, combined with an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TROP2) with a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor payload, for treating small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other relapsed solid tumors.
Q901 is currently undergoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials in the United States and South Korea. It has demonstrated promising results by inhibiting tumor growth through targeting essential genes involved in tumor progression, particularly those related to DNA damage repair response. Earlier research by Dr. Anish Thomas’ team at NCI has shown significant synergy between CDK7 inhibition and topoisomerase 1 inhibition.
Under the CRADA, NCI and Qurient will collaborate on a Phase 1/2 clinical study of Q901 combined with the TROP2-ADC. The study will begin with dose escalation to assess safety, efficacy, and potential synergy of this combination therapy, with a primary focus on patients with extensive stage SCLC.
Qurient, emphasized that the collaboration between NCI and Qurient is based on independent scientific discoveries made by each institution. They hope that this new combination therapy will provide meaningful benefits to patients with small cell lung cancer, given the limited treatment options currently available.
Q901 is a highly selective covalently binding small molecule CDK7 inhibitor currently undergoing Phase 1/2 clinical development. It has demonstrated potent inhibition of tumor growth in various cancer models, including HR+ breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and small cell lung cancer, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with other therapies. Additionally, Q901 combined with fulvestrant is undergoing clinical trials for HR+ breast cancer patients who are refractory to combination therapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors and estrogen therapy.
Source: businesswire.com
