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Chemical synthesis of a new drug family to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the highest global unmet need in oncology

Project description

New drug to treat the deadliest cancer

Survival rates in most cancers have increased in recent years, but brain cancers in adults and children continue to represent high mortality rates. Gliomas constitute 60 % of all brain tumours, and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is considered the deadliest and largely incurable cancer. Researchers on the EU-funded chemGLIO project have discovered a new family of compounds that are cytotoxic to cancer cells and particularly effective against GBM, resulting in the development of the GLIX1 drug. Based on preclinical studies where the drug showed total elimination of GBM tumour mass in 50 % of mice and tumour regression in all mice, the project aims to develop GLIX1 to reach human clinical trials and ultimately approval for clinical use.

Objective

Survival rates are increasing for most cancers but remain dismal for brain tumours in adults and children. Gliomas constitute 60% of all brain tumours and 50% of these are considered aggressive malignant tumours. Among aggressive gliomas, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest and remains largely incurable.

Our goal is to develop the first GBM drug for both adults and children, to improve its «universally miserable outcomes». We have discovered a novel family of compounds that are cytotoxic to cancer cells, especially to GBM. In our preclinical studies, our lead drug from these proprietary compounds (GLIX1) showed total elimination of GBM tumour mass in 50% of mice, and tumour regression in all mice.

We now need to further develop GLIX1 in order to reach human clinical trials, and ultimately approval for clinical use. The critical aspects of this development includes: the establishment and optimization of a chemical synthesis method for GLIX1; synthesis of small batches and subsequent large-scale production for pre-clinical and clinical studies; and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) related regulatory affairs.

Hemispherian does not have these skills in-house, albeit they are extremely critical for the success of any drug. In that regard, the SME Innovation Associate Programme fits perfectly into our plan of boosting R&D activities within chemical synthesis. Through the recruitment of an Innovation Associate and implementation of the chemGLIO project, we will develop our novel chemical synthesis method and utilise it in the development of our ground-breaking treatment for GBM.

Call for proposal

H2020-INNOSUP-2018-2020

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-INNOSUP-2020-02

Coordinator

HEMISPHERIAN AS
Net EU contribution
€ 119 035,00
Address
GAUSTADALLEEN 21
0349 OSLO
Norway

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Norge Oslo og Viken Oslo
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
No data