SEATTLE - Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATOS), a biopharmaceutical company, announced today an expanded research agreement with Weill Cornell Medicine to further study the combination of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and (Z)-endoxifen in treating advanced breast cancer. The collaboration builds on earlier in silico research suggesting potential enhanced anti-tumor effects from the drug combination.
The research will investigate the synergy between (Z)-endoxifen, a potent Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), and two FDA-approved ADCs, TRODELVY® and ENHERTU®, which are currently used as monotherapies for metastatic breast cancer. In silico modeling indicated that combining these drugs could lead to improved pro-apoptotic effects, which are essential in cancer treatment as they promote the programmed death of cancer cells.
Dr. Steven Quay, President and CEO of Atossa, stated that the combination might be more effective than the individual therapies alone. The upcoming studies at Weill Cornell aim to validate these findings in cell culture models of breast cancer. Success in these studies could pave the way for clinical trials in patients with late-line metastatic breast cancer.
(Z)-endoxifen has been noted for its efficacy in patients who have developed resistance to other hormonal treatments. Atossa's proprietary oral formulation of (Z)-endoxifen is designed to bypass liver metabolism and stomach acid, which can deactivate the drug. Ongoing Phase 2 trials are exploring its use in various breast cancer conditions.
This announcement comes as Atossa continues to focus on developing treatments for significant unmet medical needs in oncology. The company's efforts in advancing (Z)-endoxifen are backed by three issued U.S. patents and several pending applications.
The press release statement also contains forward-looking statements regarding the potential of (Z)-endoxifen as a breast cancer treatment and its safety profile. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could affect the actual results and outcomes, including regulatory approvals and the success of ongoing clinical trials.
Atossa's collaboration with Weill Cornell represents a continued commitment to exploring innovative cancer treatments, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for patients with advanced breast cancer.
InvestingPro Insights
As Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATOS) advances its research in breast cancer treatments, its financial health and market performance are of interest to investors. According to real-time data from InvestingPro, Atossa holds a market capitalization of $191.72 million, reflecting investor valuation of the company's potential. Despite challenges in profitability, with an adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 standing at -6.97, the company's stock has shown significant movement. Over the last three months, the price total return has been a robust 76.27%, and over the past year, an impressive 139.36%.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Atossa has more liquid assets than short-term obligations, indicating a position of financial flexibility in the near term. This is particularly relevant as the company pursues costly clinical trials and research collaborations. Additionally, despite analysts not expecting profitability this year, the company's significant return over the last week and strong performance over the last three months and year suggest investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
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