Designing KRAS inhibitors that overcome resistance
Problem to be solved
Drug resistance is the major limitation we currently face in oncology. Many patients initially respond to treatment, but their tumor often comes back after initial response. Unfortunately, progression-free survival only lasts for 4-5 months in many indications such as pancreatic or colorectal cancer and combinations with other agents only increase it to 7 months.
Technology
The lab is developing an alternative strategy to prevent resistance from the outset. It is achieved by computational approaches to design multi-target inhibitors that simultaneously act on KRAS and key additional oncogenic targets. A first set of inhibitors have been designed and are currently being synthesized for in vitro The lab is collaborating with the Institute of Cancer Research and UK biotech VIVAN Tx to confirm in vitro biological activity of the hits, optimize them into an early lead which will be patented, and animal testing of the lead compound.
Autors
Albert Antolín
Technology Readiness Level
TRL3
What are we looking for?
Codevelopment