By Samuel Indyk
Investing.com – Avacta Group (LON:AVCT) has announced that the next drug candidate using its proprietary pre|CISION platform has been selected for pre-clinical development. AVA3996 has been selected with a view to first-in-human Phase I clinical trials beginning in the second half of 2023.
Avacta’s pre|CISION chemistry is used to modify chemotherapy drugs to render them inactive in the circulation until they enter the tumour micro-environment where they are activated by an enzyme. This enzyme is in high abundance in most solid tumours but not in healthy tissues. The pre|CISION platform, therefore, offers a way to reduce systemic exposure to, and improve the safety of, chemotherapy drugs.
AVA3996 is a FAP-targeted pre|CISION proteasome inhibitor. The market for proteasome inhibitors is expected to grow by $2.3 billion by 2026, according to EMR.
“We are excited by the early pre-clinical data for AVA3996, the second of Avacta's pre|CISIONTM pro-drugs following on from AVA6000,” said Avacta Group Chief Executive Dr Alastair Smith.
“The pre|CISION platform has the potential to generate a significant pipeline of safer, better tolerated chemotherapies to treat a wide range of cancers.
“It represents a major commercial opportunity and the principal value driver for the Group.”
AVA3996 has been selected following a review of efficacy studies in several liquid and solid tumour models, safety studies and a review of manufacturability.
Avacta said the aim is for clinical trial authorisation and/or investigational new drug filing in the first half of next year and dosing in the first patient later in the year.
At 08:55GMT, shares in Avacta Group were trading higher by 3.4% at 76.22 pence per share.