Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, a development stage company and a leader in the field of cancer metabolism-based therapeutics, has been chosen by Informa and Kantar Health as one of the Top 10 Most Interesting Oncology Projects to Watch in 2014.
The CEO of Cornerstone, Steve Carchedi, will be presenting at Informa’s Therapeutic Area Partnership meeting in November. Carchedi will discuss the differentiators of Cornerstone’s lead Altered Energy Metabolism Directed (AEMD) drug candidate. CPI-613 is a first-in-class anti-cancer compound specifically designed to disrupt the altered energy production pathways in cancer cells by targeting mitochondrial metabolism.
The drug was selected after meeting rigorous criteria, including unmet medical need, market potential, diversity of indications, strong science, partnering opportunities, and potential for new opportunities beyond initial indications.
"Selected products have been screened using a strict set of judging criteria for the Top 10 award and represent what Informa and Kantar Health consider among the most attractive opportunities the industry has to offer," said Bill Bagwell, General Manager, Oncology, Kantar Health. “As an industry leader in oncology strategic research and consulting, it is exciting to give these companies exposure to potential investors, partners and acquirers.”
This is a significant achievement for Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals and reflects the substantial clinical evidence that the company has gathered to demonstrate the effectiveness of CPI-613 and its effective action in haematologic malignancies and solid tumours.
The primary mechanism of action of CPI-613 is the disruption of cancer metabolism and this appears to be a unique approach to cancer treatment.
The company has already partnered with notable cancer research institutions to further evaluate the compound. More research and clinical evidence is expected to be presented at the upcoming American Society of Haematology Annual Meeting next month.
CPI-613 is the lead drug candidate for the company’s AEMD platform. The compound is proven to selectively induce inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and alpha ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH), key mitochondrial enzymes involved in cancer cell metabolism in-vitro. This disruption cuts off the tumour’s energy supply, culminating in cell death.
The compound is currently being tested in Phases I, I/II and II human clinical trials in solid tumours and haematological malignancies.
Source: Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals
Image Credit: Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals
