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.
Clinic Development
WPD101 is currently in preclinical development and its consistent anticancer properties are demonstrated and validated in dogs with spontaneous GBM closely resembling GBM in human patients. Overall, the results of these studies indicate the significant potential of WPD101 demonstrating the same effective treatment of GBM in humans. Phase I of the clinical trial is expected to begin in 2020.
Regulatory
WPD101 has not been submitted for FDA or EMA approval so far.
Partners, Affiliations & License
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is a recognized, fully integrated academic medical center and health system located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
North Carolina Baptist Hospital operates inpatient hospitals, community health centers, health maintenance organization, primary care centers and teaching hospital as a subsidiary of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
WPD owns the exclusive global rights.
Market Opportunity
With no other curative options available, we believe WPD101 may have the potential for accelerated approval as a safe and effective therapy for primary GBM and GBM recurrence tumors. Moreover, other types of cancer that will be confirmed as IL-13RA2- or EphA2-positive, could potentially be explored as WPD101 targets.
The expected market size is in excess of $1 Billion.
This project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Intelligent Development 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.
Grants / Funding
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.
Total Project value: PLN 31 435 831,75
Contribution of the European Union Funds: PLN 21 400 477,45
