REG - Roquefort Theraptcs. - Pre-clinical Update

Roquefort TherapeuticsAnnouncement

07/06/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 8652N  Roquefort Therapeutics PLC  07 June 2022

7 June 2022

 

Roquefort Therapeutics plc

("Roquefort Therapeutics" or the "Company")

 

Pre-clinical Update

 

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ), the Main Market listed biotech company
focused on early-stage opportunities in the biotechnology sector, is pleased
to provide an update on progress on its a pre-clinical Midkine targeting drug
development programs.

 

During the first half of 2022, the Company has been focused on:

·   Progressing the collaborative work with Murdoch University, Western
Australia to design and test a novel series of gene silencing reagents,
antisense oligonucleotides, targeting Midkine; and

·   Portfolio review including the Midkine antibody programs acquired from
Lyramid Ltd ("Lyramid") in December 2021 to assess the commercial potential of
these programmes; and

·   Strengthening the Board by appointing industry experienced
professionals.

 

Antisense Oligonucleotide Program

During 2022 the Company has continued its collaboration with Professor Steve
Wilton's group at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia to design and
test a novel series of gene silencing reagents, antisense oligonucleotides,
targeting Midkine. These oligonucleotide drugs interfere with processing of
the Midkine mRNA ultimately leading to reduced active Midkine protein produced
in diseased tissues and tumours.

 

As announced on 17 January 2022, after design and selection of lead
oligonucleotide drug candidates, the Company commenced in vitro screening in
cancer cells.  These in vitro experiments generated very positive results
demonstrating that the Company's lead oligonucleotide drug candidates
significantly reduce Midkine mRNA levels seen in human cancer cells, which is
in line with initial pre-test expectations.

 

As announced on 21 March 2022, in order to protect the IP and the significant
potential value of this new class of RNA therapeutic drugs, the Company filed
for its first composition of matter provisional patent application covering
antisense oligonucleotide drugs to block the action of Midkine, a very
important milestone for the Company.

 

During Q2 2022 the collaborative pre-clinical development program work at
Murdoch University has focused on the generation of modified Midkine  mRNA.
The Company has developed a patented family of proprietary oligonucleotides
which achieve 90% splice switching and most recently demonstrated the ability
to modify Midkine mRNA in  in vitro cancer cell culture models.

 

The Company is now planning to commence collaborative work with leading cancer
researchers to assess the ability of the novel Midkine inhibitors to modify in
vitro tumour cell behaviour as a prelude to  testing the efficacy of the lead
oligonucleotide drug candidates using validated in vivo models of solid
tumours.

 

The Company will update the market on the progress of these key programs in
due course.

 

Antibody Therapeutic Program

During 2022 the Company carried out a strategic and scientific review of the
antibody therapeutic programs undertaken by Lyramid prior to the acquisition
in December 2021.  As a result of this portfolio review, the Company has
concluded that there are two potentially high commercial value antibody
programs (ROQA1 and ROQA2) in the advanced stages of pre-clinical development.

 

Both ROQA1 and ROQA2 antibody programs demonstrated significant anti-cancer
activity in validated in vivo models of metastatic tumours. The results showed
a significant impact in metastatic breast cancer (P<0.05) and Osteosarcoma
(P<0.05) reducing both the number and size of lung metastases.

 

Humanised antibodies have been manufactured for both programs, with ROQA2
being successfully tested in both rodent and a non-human primate GLP
toxicology/pharmacokinetic studies. On the basis of these positive results and
the early commercial potential to be first to market with an anti-Midkine
oncology antibody, the Company is accelerating development of the ROQA1 and
ROQA2 antibody programs which remain on track for CTA/IND filing in late 2023.

 

The Company will update the market on the progress of these two advanced
antibody pre-clinical development programs in due course.

 

Stephen West, Executive Chairman, said:

"It has been a very active start to the year during which we have made
significant progress. The collaboration with Murdoch University is yielding
encouraging results with the Company's lead oligonucleotide drug candidates.
In addition, we are delighted that the review of the wider portfolio acquired
with Lyramid has resulted in the conclusion that two of the antibody programs
have high commercial potential and we will therefore be accelerating
development of those as we aim to be the first to market with an anti-Midkine
oncology antibody. These are exciting developments that broaden the commercial
potential within the Company and enhance the upside value that we believe can
be delivered as we progress the programs."

 

-Ends-

 

Enquiries:
 Roquefort Therapeutics plc
 Stephen West (Chairman)                    +44 (0)20 3290 9339

 Buchanan (Public Relations)

 Ben Romney / Jamie Hooper / George Beale   +44 (0)20 7466 5000

 Optiva Securities Limited (Broker)
 Christian Dennis                           +44 (0)20 3411 1881

 

For further information on Roquefort Therapeutics, please visit
www.roquefortplc.com (http://www.roquefortplc.com) and @RoquefortTherap on
Twitter.

 

LEI: ‎254900P4SISIWOR9RH34

 

About Roquefort Therapeutics

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ) is a Main Market listed biotech company
developing products through the pre-clinical phase prior to partnering or
selling to big pharma.  The Company is a pre-clinical biotech company
focused on developing first in class Midkine targeting drugs for the treatment
of cancer.

 

Through extensive research resulting in validation through publication in over
1,000 scientific journals, Roquefort Therapeutics has identified the potential
to exploit the broad therapeutic potential of Midkine for a number of clinical
indications of unmet needs. Roquefort Therapeutics holds an exclusive licence
to the largest global IP portfolio on Midkine. The Midkine blocking drug
development markets have significant global market potential (in the
multi-billion dollars). Roquefort Therapeutic's pre-clinical program is
currently underway with an initial focus on cancer.

 

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