EpiAxis Therapeutics is a pioneering Australian pharma company that is advancing its epigenetic assets to target LSD1 as a treatment for metastatic cancer.
— Dr. Jeremy Chrisp
EpiAxis Therapeutics is a pioneering Australian domiciled pharmaceutical discovery company that is rapidly advancing its epigenetic assets that target the nuclear bound fraction of the enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1) as a next generation treatment for metastatic disease, with breast cancer being its lead indication. This work arose from discoveries made by Professor Sudha Rao.
Professor Pamela Munster MD is a medical oncologist in the Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Professor Munster is also director of the Early Phase Clinical Trial Unit, Co-leader of the Center for BRCA Research and Leader of the Experimental Therapeutics Program at UCSF’s Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Mr Keir J Loiacono is currently General Counsel and Vice President for Corporate Development at OncoSec. Previously, Mr Loiacono was lead in-house counsel and director of intellectual property at Advaxis, Inc.
Dr David Fuller MBBS is Senior Vice President for clinical development at Syneos Health Clinical Solutions’ oncology business unit. Previously, Dr Fuller was Chief Medical Officer for Arana Therapeutics and Vice President for Clinical Research at Genzyme.
Mr Nick McNaughton, Chair of EpiAxis said “This marks a notable milestone for the company in our quest for a new treatment to address metastatic disease. Our new directors are leaders in their field and upgrade the company’s capability and global coverage. We very much look forward to advancing our journey with the benefit of our new directors with their proven skill sets”.
EpiAxis has a deep understanding of the structural activity relationships of drugs, which more effectively inhibit the phosphorylated variant of LSD1 by targeting a unique nuclear-pocket in the molecule than other catalytic agents. This inhibition of LSD1 modulates the immune-oncology axis, thereby controlling the proliferation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer stem cells. It also stops and reverses the epithelial to mesenchymal transition of the metastatic process.
The appointment of these new directors was facilitated by the Sage Group, as part of their remit to achieve a partnership with an aligned pharmaceutical or research-intensive biotechnology company. EpiAxis envisions a partnership that will provide the partner with special epigenetic knowledge and expertise related to LSD1 and novel mechanisms of inhibition, as well as the EpiAxis drug candidates. These will be offered in return for worldwide rights to products advanced by the partner’s clinical, regulatory, and commercialization capabilities.
EpiAxis has long lasting and issued patents protecting its discoveries and its pipeline, including the landmark use of all LSD1 inhibitors for the treatment of metastatic disease in a combination setting with chemotherapy, immuno-therapy, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or surgery. Other applications capture the use of LSD1 inhibitors for viral infections.
Dr. Jeremy Chrisp, CEO and executive director of EpiAxis, said “Our intellectual property position, which includes our first-in-class inhibitors, offers a highly attractive suite of assets that underline our belief that we can become the leader in the epigenetic control of metastatic cancer.” He also said, “Our new look board is well equipped for the journey ahead” and thanked the Chair and Sage for their foresight in seeking to enhance EpiAxis’ capacities.
For more information about EpiAxis Therapeutics and partnering opportunities for its pipeline drug candidates, please contact:
Dr. Bill Mason
The Sage Group
The Old Black Barns
Lord’s Lane, Ousden, Suffolk CB8 8TX UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7785 950134
wtm@sagehealthcare.com
Or
Wayne Pambianchi
The Sage Group Inc.
1802 Route 31 North
#381 Clinton
New Jersey 08809 USA
Phone: +1 908 2306170
wpambianchi@sagehealthcare.com
Or
Dr. Jeremy Chrisp Phone: +61 421 012 268 j.chrisp@epiaxistherapeutics.com www.epiaxistherapeutics.com
About EpiAxis Therapeutics
EpiAxis Therapeutics is a leading epigenetics company targeting the phosphorylated variant of the nuclear bound lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) enzyme. The company discovered the dual role that LSD1 plays in reprograming the epigenome in metastatic disease.
EpiAxis has a family of novel, best in class, non-catalytic linear inhibitors, with EPI-111 the leading linear candidate, and a cyclic inhibitor (EPI-112) as well as inhibitors targeted at PKC theta. These inhibitors all reverse the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the metastasis-initiating cells and, in parallel, redecorate the phenotype of immune T cells to restore and reinvigorate their function in metastatic disease.
EpiAxis’ peptidomimetic families are dual-acting inhibitors, which target both a novel nuclear pocket, responsible for the nuclear entry of LSD1, and, in parallel, disrupt the LSD1/CoRest complex.
The initial disease indication is metastatic breast cancer with ovarian, pancreatic, colon, melanoma, lung, and liver cancers to be targeted later.
Website: www.epiaxistherapeutics.com
About The Sage Group, Inc.
The Sage Group Inc. is a leader in the provision of strategic and transactional advice to health care companies in the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical device, biotechnology, and life science fields. Sage currently maintains offices in USA, Europe, Israel, and Japan. Since its founding in 1994, The Sage Group has served more than 200 clients in the US, Europe, and Asia, and completed numerous transactions including divestitures, alliances, acquisitions, and financings, with values ranging from $5 million to $500 million.
The Sage Group is an organization of experienced and successful executives who are committed to the service of the very vital and dynamic health care industry and its investors.
The range of services offered includes:
• Strategic alliances and licensing/partnering
• M&A, divestment, buy- and sell- side
• Global product and technology acquisition searches
• Strategic assessment and planning
• Due diligence, technology and molecule assessment, valuation
• New ventures, interim management
Dr. Bill Mason
The Sage Group
+44 7785 950134
email us here