And has appointed renowned E3 ligase experts to Scientific Advisory Board
Outrun Therapeutics, a biotech developing protein-stabilising therapeutics identified by its proprietary XL discovery platform, has unveiled its lead programme for the treatment of HPV-positive head and neck cancer. Outrun has also shared the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board, comprising experts in E3 ligase biology and head and neck cancer.
The company has selected an E6AP inhibitor strategy as the lead programme from its first-in-class therapeutic pipeline developed through the application of its proprietary XL discovery platform.
This platform has profiled over 45 diverse E3 ligases across a range of oncology, neurology, cardiovascular, and autoimmune disease indications. Outrun expects to announce a development candidate later this year.
E6AP is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the expression of a key tumour suppressor in HPV positive cancers. Inhibiting this enzyme is a first-in-class strategy that directly stabilises tumour suppressor protein levels. HPV-positive cancers account for around 4.5% of cancer worldwide, and the global market is expected to exceed $14 billion by 2031.
To help drive the advancement of the programme and the Company’s broader pipeline of first-in-class small-molecule E3 ligase inhibitors, Outrun has appointed a team of international experts with extensive expertise in E3 ligase biology and head and neck cancer, who will provide critical translational insights as Outrun advances its lead programme towards the clinic.
Dr Tony Johnson, board chair and interim CEO of Outrun Therapeutics, said, “Outrun’s mission is to develop protein-stabilising therapeutics to treat disease, and the selection of our lead programme, for the treatment of HPV positive head and neck cancer, is an important milestone in our journey. This is a massively underserved patient population, and we are confident that our novel approach to protein stabilisation offers a breakthrough route to bringing meaningful treatments to those in need.”
Professor Satpal Virdee, founder, non-executive director, and chair of the SAB at Outrun Therapeutics, said, “Attracting such high-profile and experienced figures to our SAB is tremendous validation of the novel nature of our technology, and we are grateful for their commitment. Their expertise will be invaluable as we develop the translational strategy, clinical design, and biomarker validation to support our goal of establishing efficacy and differentiation in the HPV-induced head and neck cancer field, and transition to a clinical stage company.”
