The biotech company Defence Therapeutics recently announced the discovery of a new DNA-damaging function of the active ingredient AccuTOX™. According to the report, the active ingredient causes cancer cells to die. Cancer is considered a condition of uncontrolled growth of malignant cells. Malignant cells have lost the ability to initiate their own cell death. AccuTOX™ remedies exactly this situation, according to Defence Therapeutics.
Preliminary work on Phase 1 trials currently underway
"AccuTOX™ impairs several critical signaling pathways, including DNA replication, cell division, nuclear integrity and several modifications that affect DNA activity. The accumulation of exhaustive cell repair mechanisms triggered by AccuTOX™, combined with the build-up of misfolded proteins and generation of free radicals, induces irreversible DNA damage, leading to a general collapse in several cellular pathways resulting in effective cancer cell death", summarizes the Company on the mode of action.
The newly discovered function of AccuTOX™ had previously only been discussed as a possible application. Defence Therapeutics is currently conducting so-called GLP studies with AccuTOX™ to initiate a Phase 1 study in North America. GLP stands for "Good Laboratory Practice" and includes standardized procedures to ensure the quality of data collected during studies. Phase 1 studies aim to determine the safety of active substances. Among other things, they investigate how high doses of active ingredients can be used without endangering patient safety.
AccuTOX™ with positive effects on the entire product pipeline
In addition to the Phase 1 trial around AccuTOX™, the Company is also planning studies around its immuno-oncology activities. Specifically, this involves vaccine candidates against skin and cervical cancer. Thus, Defence Therapeutics has several promising projects. Central behind all the Company's activities is its patented Accum™ technology. Specifically, this is a platform approach that can effectively deliver antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) into cells. This is expected to increase the efficacy of drugs. Since Accum™ can be administered with both existing compounds and Defence Therapeutics' proprietary developments, the 100% proprietary research-based technology is the basis for several potential revenue streams for Defence Therapeutics. The recent discovery adds another exciting project to the Company's portfolio.
"Defence's breakthrough discovery with its AccuTOX formulation as a novel potent small molecule capable of killing cancer cells is a significant advancement and development for oncology cancer treatment applications with Accum™. Discovering that AccuTOX™ can behave as a chemotherapeutic agent that targets cancer cell DNA and as a booster for immune-checkpoint inhibitors is a new discovery that is very valuable to Defence's pipeline and future potential developments. The AccuTOX™ represents a novel technology as a platform for targeting multiple cancer types. This new discovery creates significant value and applications for our antibody-drug conjugate (ADCs) pipeline. The results show that AccuTOX™ is the perfect-potent small molecule for the development of our proprietary ADC", said Sébastien Plouffe, CEO of Defence Therapeutics.
Three hot irons in the fire - analyst study increases visibility
With the expansion of its technology portfolio and the ongoing GLP study ahead of Phase 1 trials starting in 2023, Defence Therapeutics is on several paths to market. In order to be able to implement all projects, the Company will need additional capital for the foreseeable future. Just a few weeks ago, a comprehensive research study by Canaccord Genuity provided a comprehensive overview of the investment story and likely increased the visibility of the Company.
The update is to our initial Report 12/21.
