De-Risking ULK1 inhibitors: Biomarker Mechanisms and Combination Therapy Optimization

Novel Therapeutics & Platforms, Immunotherapies & Personalized Vaccines

Reuben Shaw, PhD (Salk)

Nicholas Cosford, PhD (SBP)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States with a five-year survival rate of only 18%. We have developed
a novel lung cancer treatment specifically targeting a process called autophagy, which cancer cells use to evade common cancer treatments. Our drug blocks the key enzyme that activates autophagy in cells, thus turning off the ability of cancer cells to survive. We have performed substantial evaluation of our drug in mouse models of lung cancer and have found it to be both safe and efficacious while substantially reducing tumor burden. However, in order to make our drug safe for lung cancer patients we must perform advanced pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation as well as additional preclinical combinatorial studies. These assessments will allow us to advance a novel lung cancer treatment into human clinical trials.

”We have developed a novel lung cancer drug that blocks a key pathway cancer cells use to escape current treatments. This drug can be used to enhance frontline therapies and save lives. Using Curebound’s Targeted Grant initiative we plan to advance this drug into human clinical trials.” - Nick Cosford