Roquefort Therapeutics PLC on Monday reported progress in cancer research under two of its medicine development programmes.
The London-based biotechnology company, focused on developing medicines for hard-to-treat cancers, said that latest experiments combined Midkine mRNA with a lipid nanoparticle delivery system in a validated in vivo model of liver cancer.
The experiments demonstrated the safety and efficacy in reducing functional Midkine of the novel mRNA LNP combination. Midkine is associated with liver cancer progression, resistance and prognosis.
‘This represents a significant milestone in both the discovery of a novel mRNA therapeutic and in the safe combination with an LNP to allow for the delivery of the mRNA as an anti-cancer medicine,’ Roquefort said.
It added: ‘A novel therapeutic that targets Midkine expressing liver cancers with the cutting-edge mRNA technology offers the potential for a first-in-class medicine in the $3 billion liver cancer market.’
Further, regarding Roquefort’s STAT-6 siRNA programme focused on colorectal cancer, it reported a 40% to 50% decline of STAT-6 expression for in vitro models of colon cancer. ‘STAT-6 has been implicated in colorectal cancer development, progression, metastasis, poor survival, and resistance to treatment,’ the company explained.
Roquefort said: ‘Therefore, a novel therapeutic that targets STAT-6 expressing colon cancers offers the potential for a first-in-class medicine in the $12 billion colon cancer market.’
Chief Executive Officer Ajan Reginald said: ‘Both programs highlight Roquefort Therapeutics’ ability to select and develop valuable new medicines for the most difficult to treat cancers. Successfully combining our Midkine mRNA with LNP delivery creates potential for a highly promising new medicine for liver cancer and the novel STAT-6 siRNAs have shown great promise in colon cancer.’
He added: ‘By focusing on oncology patients with the worst prognosis, who are not well treated with existing medicines, we hope to develop new first-in-class medicines that dramatically improve survival and as a consequence, are the most valuable to potential Pharma acquirers.’
Roquefort shares rose 3.2% to 8.00 pence each on Monday morning in London.
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