eFFECTOR Therapeutics Announces Publication of Zotatifin Preclinical Data in Frontiers in Oncology
November 24 2021 - 08:00AM
eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:EFTR), a leader in the
development of selective translation regulator inhibitors (“STRIs”)
for the treatment of cancer, announced today the publication of
data highlighting the anti-tumor potential of zotatifin, the
company’s clinical-stage inhibitor of eukaryotic translation
initiation factor 4A (“eIF4A”), in the peer-reviewed journal
Frontiers in Oncology. eIF4A is a catalytic component of the eIF4F
complex, which regulates oncoprotein production at the level of
mRNA translation. The published research showed that zotatifin
downregulated the expression of certain receptor tyrosine kinases
(“RTKs”), which are mutated and overexpressed in many cancers. The
research also showed that rational combinations of zotatifin with
the PI3K inhibitor alpelisib or the AKT inhibitor ipatasertib, both
of which inhibit signaling downstream of RTKs, led to enhanced
anti-tumor activity in vivo.
“The preclinical results highlighted in this publication
underscore the unique therapeutic advantages of eIF4A inhibition
and further demonstrate zotatifin’s potential as a promising
clinical strategy for patients with cancers driven by RTK
overexpression or dysregulation,” said Steve Worland, Ph.D.,
president and chief executive officer of eFFECTOR. “These data and
other results are informing the selection of biomarker-specific
patient populations for the Phase 2a expansion cohorts we initiated
earlier this year.”
The Role of eIF4A in CancereIF4A is a strong
anti-proliferative target located at the convergence of both the
RAS and PI3K signaling pathways. eIF4A inhibition selectively
regulates the translation of a distinct set of target “onco” mRNAs
that encode a number of important oncoproteins and survival
factors. Through eIF4A inhibition, there is potential to target
multiple oncoproteins, including those for which there are
currently no targeted therapies available, such as MYC and Cyclin
D1.
About Zotatifin (eFT226)Zotatifin is a highly
potent and sequence-selective small molecule inhibitor of eIF4A
that works by translationally down-regulating expression of select
RTKs that contain zotatifin binding motifs in the 5-prime
untranslated region (5’-UTR) of their mRNAs. We are currently
investigating zotatifin in ongoing clinical trials for solid tumors
and as a potential host-directed antiviral therapy in patients with
mild to moderative COVID-19 in collaboration with the University of
California, San Francisco.
About eFFECTOR TherapeuticseFFECTOR is a
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering the
development of a new class of oncology drugs referred to as STRIs.
eFFECTOR’s STRI product candidates target the eIF4F complex and its
activating kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting
kinase (MNK). The eIF4F complex is a central node where two of the
most frequently mutated signaling pathways in cancer, the PI3K-AKT
and RAS-MEK pathways, converge to activate the translation of
select mRNA into proteins that are frequent culprits in key
disease-driving processes. Each of eFFECTOR’s product candidates is
designed to act on a single protein that drives the expression of
multiple functionally related proteins, including oncoproteins and
immunosuppressive proteins in T cells, that together control tumor
growth, survival and immune evasion. eFFECTOR’s lead product
candidate, tomivosertib, is a MNK inhibitor currently being
evaluated in KICKSTART, a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial of tomivosertib in combination
with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC). Zotatifin, eFFECTOR’s inhibitor of eIF4A, is
currently being evaluated in Phase 2a expansion cohorts in certain
biomarker-positive solid tumors, including ER+ breast cancer and
KRAS-mutant NSCLC. eFFECTOR has a global collaboration with Pfizer
to develop inhibitors of a third target, eIF4E. In addition to the
company’s oncology focus, zotatifin is being evaluated as a
potential host-directed anti-viral therapy in patients with mild to
moderate COVID-19 in collaboration with the University of
California, San Francisco, under a $5 million grant sponsored by
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Forward-Looking StatementseFFECTOR cautions you
that statements contained in this press release regarding matters
that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and
expectations and include, but are not limited to: the future
clinical development of our product candidates; and the potential
therapeutic benefits of our product candidates. Actual results may
differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks
and uncertainties inherent in our business, including, without
limitation: potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and
completion of clinical trials; disruption to our operations from
the COVID-19 pandemic, including clinical trial and manufacturing
delays; our dependence on third parties in connection with product
manufacturing, research and preclinical and clinical testing; the
results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials are not
necessarily predictive of future results; the success of our
clinical trials and preclinical studies for our product candidates
is uncertain; regulatory developments in the United States and
foreign countries; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate
efficacy of our product candidates that may limit their
development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization, or may
result in recalls or product liability claims; our ability to
obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our
product candidates; we may use its capital resources sooner than it
expects; and other risks described in our prior filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the
heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent quarterly report on Form
10-Q and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to
update such statements to reflect events that occur or
circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking
statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Contacts:Investors:Stephanie
CarringtonICR
Westwicke646-277-1282Stephanie.Carrington@westwicke.com
Media:Heidi Chokeir, Ph.D.Canale
Communications619-203-5391heidi.chokeir@canalecomm.com
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