Project description
Targeted protein degradation for resistant cancers
Many cancers depend on MCL-1, a protein that prevents programmed cell death and drives resistance to therapy. Although blocking MCL-1 is an attractive strategy, conventional inhibitors have repeatedly failed due to severe cardiotoxicity. The EIC-funded CT-03 project applies targeted protein degradation to solve this challenge. Instead of inhibiting MCL-1, their small molecule CT-03 marks it for removal by the cell’s natural waste disposal machinery. Preclinical studies show strong MCL-1 degradation without cardiac side effects in non-human primates. The project will test CT-03 in patients with chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukaemia, aiming to restore treatment sensitivity and validate safety. Positive results could enable out-licensing and accelerate next-generation treatments for oncology.
Objective
Captor Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of therapeutics for unmet medical needs using Targeted Protein Degradation. We focus on high-value drug targets that are “undruggable” by conventional approaches.
One such target is MCL-1, a protein preventing programmed cell-death. MCL-1 is implicated in resistance to cancer treatments. Due to its broad applications, developing a safe therapy that could hamper MCL-1's effect in cancer cells, would be a gamechanger for oncology. Unfortunately, MCL-1 inhibitors give rise to cardiotoxicity, which has led to the termination of several clinical trials.
Our unique TPD technology platform allows us to apply a radically different approach. We have developed a small molecule able to tag MCL-1 for degradation using the cellular waste protein disposal system. CT-03, positioned to become a First-in-Class MCL-1 degrader, has shown potent degradation, with no signs of cardiotoxicity in Cynomolgus monkeys, the closest translational bridge to humans.
Our first indication – AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) – has a market size of €3.6bn. Currently, Venclexta is commonly used in AML patients unable to undergo ablative chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Unfortunately, nearly all AML patients eventually acquire resistance to Venclexta, which leaves them with no further treatment options. By degrading MCL-1, CT-03 will make resistant cells susceptible to conventional therapies again.
The project’s goal is to demonstrate safety and lack of cardiotoxicity in humans. Successful results from a Phase Ia/Ib trial on Venclexta-resistant AML patients will constitute a crucial inflection point for securing a lucrative out-licensing deal with a large pharmaceutical company. Our future partner will take CT-03 forward in AML and other poorly-treated cancers. Revenues from the out-licensing deal will be invested into advancing our clinical pipeline of protein degraders in oncology & neurodegeneration.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-02
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
54-427 Wroclaw
Poland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.