Chemical synthesis of a new drug family to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the highest global unmet need in oncology

Chemical synthesis of a new drug family to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the highest global unmet need in oncology

Survival rates are increasing for most cancers but remain dismal for brain tumours in adults and children. Gliomas constitute 60% of all brain tumours and 50% of these are considered aggressive malignant tumours. Among aggressive gliomas, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest and remains largely incurable. Our goal is to develop the first GBM drug for both adults and children, to improve its «universally miserable outcomes». We have discovered a novel family of compounds that are cytotoxic to cancer cells, especially to GBM. In our preclinical studies, our lead drug from these proprietary compounds (GLIX1) showed total elimination of GBM tumour mass in 50% of mice, and tumour regression in all mice. We now need to further develop GLIX1 in order to reach human clinical trials, and ultimately approval for clinical use. The critical aspects of this development includes: the establishment and optimization of a chemical synthesis method for GLIX1; synthesis of small batches and subsequent large-scale production for pre-clinical and clinical studies; and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) related regulatory affairs. Hemispherian does not have these skills in-house, albeit they are extremely critical for the success of any drug. In that regard, the SME Innovation Associate Programme fits perfectly into our plan of boosting R&D activities within chemical synthesis. Through the recruitment of an Innovation Associate and implementation of the chemGLIO project, we will develop our novel chemical synthesis method and utilise it in the development of our ground-breaking treatment for GBM.