Dublin, Ireland, April 16, 2018 – Inflection Biosciences Ltd, a private company developing innovative therapeutics for cancer, and the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) at Trinity College Dublin, today announced a research collaboration that aims to explore the immunotherapeutic properties of the company’s first-in-class, dual mechanism PIM/PI3K inhibitors.
The collaboration with the Adjuvant Research Group within the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at TBSI, led by Professor Ed Lavelle, will also aim to explore the potential of the company’s dual mechanism molecules to complement new immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer. The emergence of immunotherapies, which harness the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, have been a significant advancement in cancer treatment over the past number of years.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Professor Lavelle said, “I am excited about exploring the potential immunotherapeutic properties of Inflection Biosciences’ innovative dual mechanism inhibitors. Both PIM kinase and PI3K pathways are understood to play a role in regulating the body’s immune system and so inhibiting both should offer new promise. The initial data generated by the company already suggests an immunomodulatory profile and we look forward to better understanding the mechanism of that effect.”
Dr Michael O’Neill, Director of Research and Development at Inflection Biosciences added, “We are delighted to have Professor Lavelle and the team involved in exploring this very exciting area with us. Their work will greatly add to our understanding of how and where our new treatments will work best in cancer patients.”
The collaboration has been supported by an Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher which facilitates research links between industry and Ireland's Higher Education Institutes.
About PIM and PI3K in immuno-oncology
A number of research groups have demonstrated a role for PIM kinase and PI3K in regulating important aspects of the immune function. PIM kinases employ glycolysis and internal ribosome entry site (IRES) translation targets to redirect the immune cells against anti-tumour immunity. PIM kinase also activates the MYC oncogene (MYC regulates immuno-checkpoint targets PD-L1 and CD47). Pim-2, a member of the PIM kinase family, has been shown to influence regulatory T cell (Tregs) function in a negative manner. PI3K activation also has a role in activating the MYC oncogene. PI3Kdelta inhibitors have been shown to regulate immune cells to deliver heightened immune response against cancer.
About Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's No.1 University and is ranked 88th in the World (QS World University Ranking, 2017/18). TBSI is a state-of-the-art research facility built to facilitate and foster scientific excellence in the areas of immunology, cancer and medical devices, and links directly to both medical education and industrial collaboration.
About Inflection Biosciences
Inflection Biosciences Ltd, based in Dublin and London, is developing small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The company's pipeline of innovative cancer treatments was licensed from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). The pipeline comprises the IBL-300 series (PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitors) and IBL-202 (PIM/PI3K inhibitor) selected from a series of unique dual mechanism kinase inhibitors and the IBL-100 series (selective pan-PIM kinase inhibitors), currently in pre-clinical stages of development. Data generated to date suggests potential application in a range of treatment resistant solid tumours and haematological malignancies. Inflection Biosciences was named ‘Start-up Company of the Year’ at the 2014 Irish Pharma Awards. For more information please visit www.inflectionbio.com
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