3-V’s Small Molecule Tumor Metabolism Inhibitor Demonstrates Single-Agent Activity; Halts Tumor Growth and Induces Tumor Regression
Menlo Park, California, October 21, 2013. 3-V Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics that modulate key host-cell pathways resulting in death of tumor cells or virally-infected cells, today presented positive data from preclinical studies of the company’s novel fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors.
In a series of preclinical studies, 3-V’s FASN inhibitors demonstrated potent activity against multiple tumor types, including breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian and colon cancers. FASN inhibition reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis (cell death) in a dose-dependent manner. Of note, single-agent FASN inhibition both blocked tumor growth and resulted in significant tumor regression in patient-derived xenografts. FASN inhibition was well tolerated at dose levels that achieved potent anti-cancer effect.
“Our novel FASN inhibitor molecules demonstrate strong single-agent anti-cancer activity in vivo, and we are excited by the potential of these drugs to halt tumor growth and progression,” said Merdad Parsey, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of 3-V Biosciences. “FASN is a highly attractive target in oncology, but prior inhibitor programs have been challenged in aligning therapeutic efficacy with tolerability. 3-V’s preclinical studies characterizing our FASN inhibitors point to a number of critical attributes, including potent tumor cell growth inhibition across a number of tumor types and a promising tolerability profile that should enable use in combination with standard of care. We are ready to commence a Phase 1 clinical study for our lead candidate, TVB- 2640, this year in patients with advanced solid tumors.”
The company’s lead clinical candidate, TVB-2640, is one of a series of FASN inhibitors initially being developed by 3-V to treat solid tumor cancers by inhibiting key metabolic and signaling pathways associated with tumor growth and proliferation. FASN activity promotes the tumorigenic potential of cells as part of tumor cell metabolism, which in turn provides fuel required by rapidly proliferating cancer cells. FASN over-expression is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis in a number of cancers.
3-V has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and plans to initiate first-in-human studies of TVB-2640 by the end of 2013.
Data for 3-V’s FASN tumor metabolism inhibitors was presented during the Therapeutic Agents: session of the Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics meeting on Monday at 12:30 pm ET in a poster titled “Characterization of small-molecule FASN inhibitors in preclinical tumor models” (Abstract #B261)
About 3-V Biosciences
3-V Biosciences, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing therapeutics that modulate key pathways in oncology and infectious disease. In oncology, the company’s lead candidate is a fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor that blocks tumor cell signaling pathways and induces tumor cell apoptosis. 3-V’s antiviral therapeutics block host-pathogen interactions, resulting in robust and broad-spectrum antiviral activity, including efficacy against viruses resistant to other classes of antiviral drugs, and a high barrier to resistance. The 3-V team applies an integrated approach, leveraging internal expertise in biology, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery and development to drive programs forward. The company is located in Menlo Park, California.
Contact information
Merdad Parsey, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
650-561-8600
Media Inquiries
BCC Partners on behalf of 3-V Biosciences, Inc.
Karen L. Bergman
650-575-1509
kbergman@bccpartners.com
Michelle Corral
415-794-8662
mcorral@bccpartners.com
