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FORNY20-FORNY2020

KVAL: A novel drug for pancreatic cancer

Awarded: NOK 0.50 mill.

Project Number:

338231

Project Period:

2022 - 2023

Funding received from:

Organisation:

A novel drug for pancreatic cancer Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer, has a poor outcome with a five-year survival rate of about 8%. Despite extended effort, the five-year survival rate has only marginally improved over the past 45 years due to the lack of new paradigm-changing therapies. The standard treatments are nonspecific, general cytostatics. Hence, there is a great, unmet medical need to identify novel treatment modalities for PDAC. We have identified several inhibitory candidates against a promising new PDAC protein target by screening the drug library containing 28,000 molecules at the High Throughput Screening (HTS) facility at the Norwegian Center for Molecular Medicine. The hits are further evaluated in several different assays. Furthermore, we have mapped the 3D structure of the target protein with different inhibitors to determine how these hits bind to the target. In this project, we have confirmed and validated selected hits which now form basis for design of 2nd generation compounds to prepare for a larger innovation project with the goal of generating a well-documented new lead candidate for therapy for PDAC. We have also established new protocol to screen candidate compounds for the intracellular inhibition of the targeting protein.

Compared to other cancers, pancreatic cancer is relatively rare. However, due to its aggressive character, lack of symptoms in early stage and because of the location of the pancreas makes surgery difficult; the disease is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Only about 8 % of patients with pancreatic cancer are alive five years after their diagnosis. This is one of the lowest survival rates for any kind of cancer. Our aim is to develop and commercialize a novel therapeutic drug to treat PDAC, with the goal of prolonged disease-free survival, and possible curative intent. If successful, this will have a major impact on society. The qualification project has enabled us to come up with a first design for 2nd generation compounds against a promising new PDAC protein target. This has allowed us to establish a clear basis and plan for a hit-to-lead process under a follow-on innovation project.

Funding scheme:

FORNY20-FORNY2020