Redx trumpets cancer treatment advance

MERSEYSIDE-based drug development company Redx Pharma is celebrating a breakthrough in its research into the treatments of cancers, including pancreative, breast and head and neck cancer.

It has announced it has reached pre-clinical proof of the concept stage with an advanced oncology lead, with has the potential to tackle the hard-to-treat cancers.

It represents the fifth program to have advanced through Redx’s development pipeline to pre-clinical proof of concept and has been achieved in just over 12 months, from a standing start. Only one other similar treatment exists, which is currently in clinical development.

Redx said the novel, potent small molecule Porcupine inhibitor targets the Wnt pathway, an embryonic signalling pathway that is implicated in the maintenance of cancer stem cells in multiple cancer types.

Chief executive Dr Neil Murray said: “We’re very pleased to have reached pre-clinical proof of concept with this very promising program.

“The cancers it has the potential to tackle are some of the most hard-to-treat.

“Consequently, we are delighted to be making steps on the journey to address the challenge and to have developed this novel Porcupine inhibitor which will help to tackle these areas of high unmet need.
 
“Redx’s access to primary patient sample and extensive niche expertise in cancer stem cell assays, have proved particularly helpful in this instance.

“This program also demonstrates Redx’s capability to accelerate development timelines – taking a program to proof of concept in just over 12 months from a standing start.

“We look forward to continuing to develop our Porcupine assets and assess their potential as a treatment for pancreatic, triple negative breast, and head and neck cancers.”

Close