Apmonia Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapeutic strategies towards cancer. They are developing a first-in-class pipeline of next-generation peptide-based therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment to improve the lives of patients with cancer.

Using molecular modeling (i.e., ligand:protein and protein:protein docking simulations, as well as molecular dynamics simulations) and their vast knowledge of matrix biology and oncology, they are developing a portfolio of proprietary first-in-class peptide-based therapies targeting the tumour extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. After years of research on cancer-stroma interactions, they identified several proteins which are overexpressed in different types of solid tumours, converting them into potential targets for anticancer treatments. By producing peptides that selectively target ECM components, they can regulate the interplay between cancer and stromal cells within the TME, disrupting tumoural activity.

Their lead program, AP-01 (or TAX2), is a peptide-based technology targeting tumor-overexpressed thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) to prevent CD47 receptor activation. AP-01 acts as a modulator of the tumor-tolerant microenvironment, reprogramming highly vascularized tumors into poorly angiogenic ones while concomitantly activating the tumor-inhibiting immune system. Thanks to its unique mode of action, AP-01 does not recapitulate the hematologic toxicities related to CD47 blockade, hence realizing the full potential of targeting this axis for cancer therapy.

A large body of in vivo efficacy data supports the proof-of-concept for AP-01 use as an anti-cancer therapy. TAX2 activates the adaptive (tumor-specific) immune response, as demonstrated by activation of T-cells, production of interferon gamma, and significant tumor reduction. The T cell stimulatory activities of AP-01 also position it as an excellent candidate for combination therapies in the context of a broad immune-oncology approach.

Their current focus for clinical development is ovarian cancer, an orphan indication. They plan to target other indications including glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

–  Therapeutic areas: Oncology

–  Based in: Reims (FRANCE)

–  Employees: 1 – 10

–  Created in: 2019