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WPD101

Development of a New Medicine Used in the Therapy of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Overview

Cancer cells, including glioblastoma (GBM) tumor cells that are highly resistant to all known therapies, express tumor-specific receptors, IL-13RA2 and EphA2 (these receptors are not present in normal cells). The breakthrough of WPD Pharmaceuticals’ solution will be based on the use of therapy targeting IL-13RA2 and EphA2 receptors by recombinant proteins IL-13 and Ephrin 1 proteins, conjugated to Pseudomonas and Diphtheria bacteria toxins. Recombinant IL-13 and Ephrin 1 proteins armed with potent bacteria toxins preferentially bind to GBM tumor-specific receptors and deliver highly cytotoxic payload. This highly specific targeting of GBM cells will allow for selective elimination of tumor cells by bacteria-toxins-induced cytotoxic effects without affecting normal cells. Furthermore, the planned method of administering the drug to the tumor tissue will be an advantage over standard intravenous administration, resulting in the possible reduction of any potential side effects associated with standard chemotherapy. Development of WPD101 will allow GBM patients access to innovative molecular targeted therapies as an alternative to conventional treatment.

For more information about the drug, please see the Presentation.

In February 2018, WPD was awarded an $8 million-dollar grant from the National Centre for Research and Development in Poland for the development of WPD101 that would include Phase I clinical studies in GBM tumors.

This project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Program 2014-2020. Project is implemented as part of the National Center for Research and Development: Proposal No 5/1.1.1/2017 - "Fast track", Priority I: Support for conducting R&D works by Medium and Small companies and Microenterprises, Sub-measure 1.1.1. Industrial research projects and Experimental development work projects carried out by companies. Contract No: POIR.01.01.01-00-0912/17-00.

The Project description: The project includes conducting comprehensive research and development works aimed at developing a globally innovative biological drug WPD101 that can be used in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. The result of the work carried out is a product innovation - a candidate for a biological drug produced under non-GMP conditions, to be verified as part of a phase I clinical trial on a group of patients with glioblastoma, as part of targeted therapy against IL-13 RA2 and EphA2 receptors, administered directly to the brain using CED (Convection-Enhanced Delivery) methods. The result of the Project will enable patients to access innovative targeted therapy as an alternative to conventional treatment.

WPD Poland has also made the decision to end its WPD101 program, with the option to continue it as WPD101a. The WPD101 program was divided into WPD101a and WPD101b products. WPD101a is ready for GMP manufacturing for clinical studies, but due to limited financial resources and failure to meet the deadlines set out in the project agreement, management decided to withdraw from the implementation of the WPD101 project. WPD Poland informed NCRD of management's decision and terminated the contract for these projects at an early stage of development. WPD Poland will seek partners and investors, who could help in further development of WPD101a and other products that may be developed under the license agreement with Wake Forest University and plans to submit applications for new grants for further development of this line of product.

WPD expects to re-allocate resources towards its pipeline of products to be developed through WPD Poland's license agreement with Wake Forest University, including especially projects WPD401 (interceptor) in GBM, which WPD Poland plans to implement in cooperation with Wake Forest University and use WPD402 (meteor) in the treatment of breast cancer.

Number of the project: POIR.01.01.01-00-0912/17-00

Title: Development of a new medicinie used in the therapy of glioblastoma multiforme.

Contribution of the European Union Funds: 21 400 477,45 zł

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