CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Epizyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPZM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company creating novel epigenetic therapies for cancer patients, will present data from 11 accepted abstracts on the role of histone methyltransferase (HMT) inhibition in human cancers at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics taking place in Boston, Mass., November 5 – 9, 2015. Among the presentations are important new data on the critical role played by EZH2 in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Epizyme’s lead compound, tazemetostat, is a first-in-class EZH2 inhibitor currently being studied in relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL and advanced solid tumors.
“Epizyme is leading the field of epigenetic drug discovery with our focused approach to development of small molecule therapeutics against HMTs and other chromatin modifiers,” said Robert A. Copeland, Ph.D., President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer. “Our presentations at the AACR-NCI-EORTC meeting demonstrate the breadth of our drug discovery efforts and preclinical target identification in this space and our continued commitment to understanding the role of EZH2 and EZH2 inhibition across a spectrum of cancer indications.”
Presentations on the role of EZH2 include:
EZH2 Plays a Critical Role in B-cell Maturation and in Non-Hodgkin
Lymphoma: Interplay between EZH2 Function and B-cell Activation
Abstract
number: B85
Speaker: Danielle Johnston, Epizyme, Inc.
Session
title: Poster Session B, Epigenetic Targets
Presentation
time: Saturday, November 7, 12:30 – 3:30
Advanced Image Analysis of H3K27 Trimethylation in Skin from Subjects
Dosed with the EZH2 Inhibitor Tazemetostat
Abstract number: B6
Speaker:
Alice McDonald, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster
Session B, Biomarkers
Presentation time: Saturday, November
7, 12:30 – 3:30
EZH2 Inhibition Leads to Decreased Proliferation in SMARCA4-deleted
Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines
Abstract number: C87
Speaker:
Elayne Penebre, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster
Session C, Epigenetic Targets
Presentation time: Sunday,
November 8, 12:30 – 3:30
Initial Testing (Stage 1) of EPZ-6438 (tazemetostat), a Novel EZH2
Inhibitor, by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP)
Abstract
number: A137
Speaker: Raushan Kurmasheva, Greehey
Children’s Cancer Research Institute
Session title: Poster
Session A, Pediatric Early Drug Development
Presentation time: Friday,
November 6, 12:15 – 3:15
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to support clinical
investigation of the EZH2 inhibitor, tazemetostat (EPZ-6438) in
INI1-deficient pediatric tumors
Abstract number: A135
Speaker:
Nigel Waters, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster
Session A, Pediatric Early Drug Development
Presentation time: Friday,
November 6, 12:15 – 3:15
Chromatin Flow Cytometry Based Quantification of Cell Type Specific
Alterations in Histone Methylation States Resulting from in vitro and in
vivo EZH2 Inhibitor Treatment
Abstract number: B133
Speaker:
Christopher Plescia, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster
Session B, Novel Assay Technology
Presentation time: Saturday,
November 7, 12:30 – 3:30
In addition to these presentations on the role of EZH2, Epizyme will present additional data on the company’s ongoing work to elucidate the potential of HMT inhibitors as treatments for human cancers. These additional presentations include:
CRISPR Pooled Screening Identifies Differential Dependencies on
Epigenetic Pathways
Abstract number: B78
Speaker:
Alexandra R. Grassian, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster
Session B, Epigenetic Targets
Presentation time: Saturday,
November 7, 12:30 – 3:30
Pinometostat (EPZ-5676) Enhances the Anti-proliferative Activity of
MAP Kinase Pathway Inhibitors in MLL-r Leukemia Cell Lines
Abstract
number: B82
Speaker: Alejandra Raimondi, Epizyme, Inc.
Session
title: Poster Session B, Epigenetic Targets
Presentation
time: Saturday, November 7, 12:30 – 3:30
Identification of a Novel Potent Selective SMYD3 Inhibitor with Oral
Bioavailability
Abstract number: C85
Speaker: Lorna
Mitchell, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster Session C,
Epigenetic Targets
Presentation time: Sunday, November 8,
12:30 – 3:30
Identification of Biomarkers and Pathways Associated with Response to
the DOT1L Inhibitor Pinometostat (EPZ-5676) in MLL-r Leukemia
Abstract
number: C12
Speaker: Scott Daigle, Epizyme, Inc.
Session
title: Poster Session C, Biomarkers
Presentation time: Sunday,
November 8, 12:30 – 3:30
A Medium-Throughput Single Cell CRISPR CAS9 Assay to Assess Gene
Essentiality
Abstract number: C162
Speaker: Alexandra
Grassian, Epizyme, Inc.
Session title: Poster Session C,
Target Identification and Validation
Presentation time: Sunday,
November 8, 12:30 – 3:30
About EZH2 in Cancer
EZH2 is a histone methyltransferase (HMT) that is increasingly understood to play a potentially oncogenic role in a number of cancers. These include Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, INI1-deficient cancers such as malignant rhabdoid tumors, epithelioid sarcomas and synovial sarcoma, and a range of other solid tumors.
About Tazemetostat
Epizyme is developing tazemetostat for the treatment of patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and for patients with INI1-deficient solid tumors. Tazemetostat is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of EZH2 created by Epizyme using its proprietary product platform. In some human cancers, aberrant EZH2 enzyme activity results in misregulation of genes that control cell proliferation resulting in the rapid and unconstrained growth of tumor cells. Tazemetostat is the WHO International Non-Proprietary Name (INN) for compound EPZ-6438.
Additional information about this program, including clinical trial information, may be found here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01897571.
About Epizyme, Inc.
Epizyme, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company creating novel epigenetic therapeutics for cancer patients. Epizyme has built a proprietary product platform that the Company uses to create small molecule inhibitors of a 96-member class of enzymes known as histone methyltransferases, or HMTs. HMTs are part of the system of gene regulation, referred to as epigenetics, that controls gene expression. Genetic alterations can result in changes to the activity of HMTs, making them oncogenic (cancer-causing). By focusing on the genetic drivers of cancers, Epizyme's targeted science seeks to match the right medicines with the right patients.
For more information, visit www.epizyme.com and connect with us on Twitter at @EpizymeRx.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Epizyme, Inc. and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: uncertainties inherent in the initiation of future clinical studies or expansion of ongoing clinical studies; availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical studies; whether interim results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of the trial or the results of future trials; expectations for regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; development progress of the Company's companion diagnostics, availability of funding sufficient for the Company's foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the Company's therapeutic candidates or companion diagnostics; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the company's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015, and in our other filings from time to time with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
