WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Synergys Biotherapeutics, a preclinical stage biotherapeutics company developing Vasculogenic Mimicry (VM)-blocking antibody drugs announced today the receipt of a Phase I grant from the National Cancer Institute under auspices of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program of the National Institutes of Health. The grant will be utilized for the development of SYN001, an antibody fusion molecule containing an anti-EGFR antibody incorporating a highly anti-angiogenic dimeric mutant endostatin as its fusion partner. SYN001 possesses a variety of anti-tumor activities including the ability to inhibit angiogenesis, i.e. development of new vasculature by endothelial cells, as well as inhibit vasculogenic mimicry, i.e. the direct formation of vascular channels by tumor cells. SYN001 is under development for treating Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). TNBC has the poorest survival outcome of all breast cancer subtypes, for which currently there exists no effective targeted therapy. VM may play an important role in resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs and tumor metastasis. Unlike SYN001, most currently-marketed anti-angiogenic drugs lack significant VM-inhibitory activity. Synergys will develop SYN001 in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Rosenblatt, M.D., Chief of the Hematology Division and Seung-Uon Shin, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL. Drs. Shin and Rosenblatt were the first to demonstrate the ability of SYN001 to block VM in TNBC cells.
Regarding the award, Dr. Rosenblatt of the University of Miami notes, "We have established a highly productive relationship with Synergys due to our work with SYN001 project. We are delighted that NCI has recognized our research on inhibition of Vasculogenic Mimicry in TNBC, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Synergys. SYN001 represents an exciting new approach towards treatment of this deadly cancer."
Dr. Rathin Das, PhD, CEO of Synergys said, "We are delighted for the SBIR grant from NCI, which validates our approach of combining inhibition of VM and angiogenesis for TNBC treatment. Given the combined anti-vascular functionalities, SYN001 as well as additional antibody fusion products from the A-TAP platform will likely provide new treatment options for a variety of solid cancers, used as monotherapy or as part of a combination regimen."
About Synergys Biotherapeutics
Synergys is an early stage company developing multifunctional anti-vascularization antibody drugs targeting VEGF-alternative pathways. The Company’s most advanced product candidate, Anti-EGFR‐TAP (SYN001) was derived from its platform technology termed A‐TAP (Antibody-Targeted Anti-Vascularization Payload). SYN001 is currently in preclinical development for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and for other EGFR+ malignancies. Additionally, a second candidate, Anti-HER2-TAP (SYN002) is being developed for ovarian cancer. Synergys’ pipeline also includes a fully human bi-targeted anti-angiogenic antibody (Anti-Ang-1/2 Mab) with promising anti-tumor activities in colorectal and pancreatic cancer models. For more information contact: Dr. Rathin Das, CEO, Synergys Biotherapeutics, Ph: 925-575-0181; email: rathindas@synergysbio.com, and visit www.Synergysbio.com
