Early collaborations This only R&D company listed in London Stock exchange with the market cap at almost 200 M pounds (almost US $250 M) is an interesting company with one ongoing phase1 clinical trial, one IND enabled and one preclinical. It looks like their pipelines are all drug conjugates. One can say their science (phase 1 clinical trial) is similar to Sort1 mechanism of action using a peptide attached to doxorubicin(warhead) cleavable by a receptor (fibroblast activation protein) which is overexpressed on tumor cells so basically a targeted drug delivery platform. They recently released the result from the ongoing trial!
“Among 10 patients treated at the dose of 250 mg/m2 and above, five patients demonstrate tumor shrinkage (one partial and four minor responses) Six of these 10 patients are continuing treatment and an additional two patients, who have reached maximum cycles, are still in follow up for progression free survival The safety profile of AVA6000 continues to demonstrate a robust reduction in severe hematologic and cardiac toxicities that are associated with conventional dose doxorubicin”
Avacta Announces Positive New Data from the AVA6000 Phase 1
One partial response, some minor responses, ongoing monitoring of progression free survival and tolerable so far so some efficacy admittedly not blockbuster results, small trial and still looking for the recommended and tolerable dose for better efficacy… Sounds familiar?? The interesting and mind-blowing part is how this company actively been entering various collaborations very early on during their drug development processes involving just about all parts of their pipeline and its future potentials. Despite some similarities it is hard to compare THTX’s Sort1 platform and its progress so far/future potentials with Avacta's pipeline having said that deals can get done for early stages of innovative pipelines in various shapes and forms. Searching online it seems like their collaborations are very diverse from joint ventures covering the costs for clinical trials to milestone payments for various projects. I certainly hope THTX tries their best to find that partner sooner rather than later as targeted drug delivery is a fast growing and moving industry.
https://avacta.com/our-science/partnering/