E!2328 GLIOPEP - Next generation Peptide Drug Conjugate as a novel tumour specific treatment for glioblastoma patients, Oncopeptides AB

Purpose and goal:

The aim is to develop a novel tumor-specific chemotherapy for glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor that currently lacks curative treatment. The project is based on Oncopeptides unique "Peptide Drug Conjugate" (PDC) platform where drug candidates are designed around two components, a cleavable peptide linked to a cytotoxic payload. The goal is to develop a drug candidate that can cross the blood-brain barrier, rapidly release and accumulate the cytotoxic payload in the cancer cells and thereby protect the healthy tissue.

Expected results and effects:

The new compound is expected to cross the blood-brain barrier and kill the cancer cells without harming normal tissue. Upon completion, we expect the compound to show positive effects in patient material as well as in several advanced glioblastoma models. Furthermore, we will have generated a preclinical data package to guide selection of a "Candidate Drug" (CD), ready to enter late stage preclinical studies.

Approach and implementation:

The starting point for the project is four existing PDC compounds whose activity depends on different enzymes for release of the cytotoxic payload in glioblastoma cells. Optimization of these compounds will be guided by biological activity and expression of relevant enzymes that lead to accumulation of the cytotoxic payload in glioblastoma cells in state-of-the-art models. The biological results will be used in an iterative process in the design and optimization of the substances.