Tuesday, September 05, 2023
Beactica Therapeutics AB, a Swedish precision oncology company, has officially unveiled BEA-17 as its chosen preclinical candidate for its LSD1 program, with the goal of discovering novel therapies for aggressive brain tumors and other life-threatening cancers.
BEA-17 is a groundbreaking small molecule that has shown promising results in enhancing immune-modulating treatments in preclinical models spanning various cancer types. Notably, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted BEA-17 Orphan Drug Designation specifically for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer. The selection of BEA-17 as the primary preclinical candidate marks the initiation of toxicology studies needed to prepare for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and subsequent clinical trials.
Dr. Per Källblad, CEO of Beactica Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm for this significant milestone, recognizing that many programs do not progress beyond the preclinical stage. He remarked, The selection of this molecule underscores our dedication to advancing this innovative approach into human trials as expeditiously as possible.
BEA-17 is a pioneering small molecule targeted degrader (non-PROTAC) designed to interact with lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and its co-factor CoREST. In animal models of cancer, BEA-17 has demonstrated synergistic potential with immune-modulating therapies across various cancer types, including colon cancer (CT26) with anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors and glioblastoma (GL261) with standard-of-care treatments like temozolomide and radiation. Pharmacokinetic studies have revealed BEA-17's capacity to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and its oral availability. Importantly, it should be noted that BEA-17 is an investigational compound that has not received approval anywhere globally. Its safety and efficacy in humans have yet to be established. Additionally, the FDA has granted BEA-17 Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM).
