RTW Biotech Opp. - Update on Artios Pharma

RTW Biotech Opportunities

02/05/2025 07:00

RNS Number : 1407H

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd

02 May 2025

 

LEI: 549300Q7EXQQH6KF7Z84

2 May 2025

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd

Update on Artios Pharma

 

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (the "Company"), the London Stock Exchange-listed investment company focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the life sciences sector, is pleased to note the announcement by one of its private portfolio companies, Artios Pharma ("Artios"), of encouraging data in its ongoing Phase 1/2a study of lead candidate, ART0380.

 

Artios is a private UK-based pharmaceutical company whose mission is to develop new classes of medicines that exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathways with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with hard-to-treat cancers. The Company first invested in Artios' Series C round in 2021 and subsequently increased its position significantly when it acquired the assets of Arix Bioscience in 2024. As at 31 March 2025, Artios represented 5.3% of the Company's NAV.

 

In an Artios presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, ART0380 in combination with low-dose irinotecan was shown to demonstrate a 50% confirmed overall response rate (cORR) in patients with Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-negative1 solid tumors at the recommended Phase 2 dose.

 

With ART0380, Artios is pursuing a differentiated clinical development path by selectively targeting the protein kinase Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) that plays a key role in the cellular response to replication stress, a process that can occur via chemotherapy. Artios' approach exploits replication stress to kill cancer cells through triple targeting: selecting cancers with high replication stress, inducing further replication stress with a low dose of irinotecan, and preventing cellular rescue by inhibiting ATR with ART0380.

 

Rod Wong, CIO of RTW Investments, said, "We are thrilled to see the promising results from the STELLA Phase 1/2a study of ART0380. The innovative approach of combining ART0380 with low-dose irinotecan to amplify replication stress is groundbreaking and validates Artios' unique strategy in targeting DNA damage response mechanisms. These unprecedented results not only highlight the potential of ART0380 to significantly improve patient outcomes but also reinforce our confidence in Artios' leadership in the field of targeted oncology. We were an early investor in Artios and materially increased our position through the Arix transaction. We look forward to the continued development and expansion of this promising therapy."

 

The full text of the announcement can be read at  https://artios.com. 

Enquiries:

RTW Investments, LP - Investment Manager
Woody Stileman (Business Development)
Oliver Kenyon (Business & Corporate Development)
Krisha McCune (Investor Relations)
+44 (0)20 7959 6361
biotechopportunities@rtwfunds.com
Cadarn Capital - PR & IR Partner
Lucy Clark (PR)
David Harris (Distribution)
+44 (0)7984 184 461 / lucy@cadarncapital.com
+44 (0)7368 883 211 /david@cadarncapital.com
Deutsche Numis - Joint Corporate Broker
Freddie Barnfield
Nathan Brown
Euan Brown
+44 (0)20 7260 1000
BofA Securities - Joint Corporate Broker
Edward Peel
Alex Penney
+44 (0)20 7628 1000
Altum (Guernsey) Limited
Joanna Duquemin Nicolle
Sadie Morrison
+44 (0)1481 703 100

 

About RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd:

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (LSE: RTW) is an investment fund focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Driven by a long-term approach to support innovative businesses, RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd invests in companies developing next-generation therapies and technologies that can significantly improve patients' lives. RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd is managed by RTW Investments, LP, a leading healthcare-focused entrepreneurial investment firm with deep scientific expertise and a strong track record of supporting companies developing life-changing therapies.

Visit the website at www.rtwfunds.com/rtw-biotech-opportunities-ltd for more information.

 

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The information in this announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on the current expectations and projections about future events, and in certain cases can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue", "target", "believe" (or the negatives thereon) or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, as well as those included in any related materials, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and/or its underlying investments, including, among other things, the development of the applicable entity's business, trends in its operating industry, expected use of financing proceeds and future capital expenditures and acquisitions. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the forward-looking statements may not occur.

The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked). No reliance may be placed for any purpose whatsoever on the information or opinions contained in this announcement or on its completeness, accuracy or fairness.

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