TORONTO & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Triphase Accelerator Corporation, a private drug development company dedicated to advancing novel compounds through Phase II proof-of-concept, today announced that it has entered into an academic center collaboration with Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto to assist in the development of Triphase’s novel, first-in-class, fully human bi-specific antibody TRPH 011 and evaluate the role of bifunctional targeting of VEGFR-2 and TIE 2 receptors in cancer. TRPH 011 binds and neutralizes VEGFR-2/KDR and TIE 2 receptors simultaneously, resulting in sustained inhibition of tumor growth and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels and a fundamental step in the transition of tumors from a benign to a malignant state).
Under the terms of the agreement, Triphase will provide funding to the laboratory of Robert S. Kerbel, Ph.D., senior scientist in the Biological Sciences Platform at Sunnybrook Research Institute of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Dr. Kerbel and his colleagues will evaluate TRPH 011 in preclinical pharmacology models. Triphase will use the findings to advance the TRPH 011 program toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing.
“Triphase approaches drug development by using a unique model that is faster and more cost-effective than traditional drug development approaches. By establishing this academic-industry collaboration with Sunnybrook and Dr. Kerbel, a world-renowned expert in the field of tumor angiogenesis and antiangiogenic therapy, we are expanding our unique model of drug development in a mutually beneficial way to advance TRPH 011. It will also improve our mechanistic understanding of whether dual targeting of the VEGFR2 and TIE 2 axis is better than targeting just one of these angiogenesis pathways,” said Mohit Trikha, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, executive vice president, and head of R&D at Triphase. “Dr. Kerbel’s expertise in tumor angiogenesis and tumor biology will be invaluable as we pursue our goal of developing this novel biological therapy to improve the lives of cancer patients.”
“Given my nearly 40 years of research in tumor biology and my particular research focus on angiogenesis, I am looking forward to collaborating with Triphase in this unique academic/industry partnership to evaluate TRPH 011 and better understand the dual targeting of the VEGFR-2 and TIE 2 pathways in cancer,” said Dr. Kerbel.
In addition to his role at Sunnybrook, Dr. Kerbel is a professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Antiangiogenic Therapy. His main research interest is devising new strategies to improve the efficacy of cancer treatments and reduce toxicity. His research has focused on understanding the basis of tumor angiogenesis and designing new therapeutic strategies for advanced metastatic disease based on vascular targeting and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. He has elucidated mechanisms of VEGF-pathway targeting drugs and development of resistance to them, linked the fields of angiogenesis and oncogenes, and uncovered mechanisms by which antiangiogenic drugs increase chemotherapy efficacy and alter malignant tumor progression.
About VEGFR-2/TIE 2
TRPH 011 is a novel, first-in-class, fully human bi-specific antibody that binds and neutralizes VEGFR-2/KDR and TIE 2 receptors simultaneously, resulting in sustained inhibition of tumor growth and angiogenesis in animal models of cancer. VEGF and TIE 2 pathways, two important routes for formation of new blood vessels in various tumors, are critical for tumor growth and survival. The dependence of tumor growth and metastasis on blood vessels makes tumor angiogenesis a rational and validated target for cancer therapy.
Triphase entered into a global licensing deal with PharmAbcine for TRPH 011 in 2014. The agreement provides Triphase with global development and commercial rights, except China and Korea.
About Triphase
Triphase is a private drug development company with a primary focus on oncology and with operations in Toronto and San Diego. Triphase is dedicated to advancing novel compounds through Phase II proof-of-concept clinical studies using a unique, science-based, high-quality model that is faster and more cost-effective than traditional pharmaceutical and biotech industry drug development approaches. Triphase was spun out of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), with support from MaRS Innovation and MaRS, and has a strategic relationship with Celgene for oncology-focused drug development opportunities. For more information, visit www.triphaseco.com or LinkedIn.