Clinical validation of GLIX1: a small molecule that targets epigenetic changes in cancer cells to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the highest global unmet need in oncology.

Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM) patients usually die 12-18 months after diagnosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 6.8%. There are only 5 therapies approved to treat GBM and all of them provide marginal improvements of <9 months to patients’ survival. With a clinical pipeline that is constantly failing (last approval in 2004) and the lack of effective therapies, GBM remains the highest unmet need in oncology. After years of research, we discovered the GLIX family, which targets a newly discovered mechanism that is deregulated in cancer cells. GLIX1 was more effective than the current standard of care at killing several GBM cell lines. In vivo studies showed tumour regression in 100% of mice, with a tumour growth inhibition of 94%. With such promising results and an experienced team, GLIX1 is now ready for clinical validation. The support from the EIC will help us to prove the clinical safety and efficacy of GLIX1 and make it globally available through licensing to a large pharma company.