Edmonton, Alberta, Canada April 8, 2024. Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pacylex) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of a new class of targeted therapies, N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors (NMTi) for the treatment of hematologic and solid tumor cancers. Today Pacylex announced that new data demonstrating that zelenirstat, a proprietary, potent, NMTi, reduces Complex I formation and oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria of cancer cells, will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting from April 5-10, 2024, in San Diego, California. This new insight may help account for the effect zelenirstat had on refractory/ relapsed (r/r) cancers in a recent Phase 1 study whose results are also presented.
A poster will be presented describing the Company’s Phase 1 study safety results and efficacy signals, as well as evidence for profound disruption of Complex I formation in mitochondria of cancer cell with concomitant loss of oxidative phosphorylation. The Company’s CEO, Dr. Michael Weickert, will be available during the poster session and for one-on-one meetings. The details of the poster are below:
“The evidence that zelenirstat disrupts energy production in the mitochondria of cancer cells has profound implications for cancer treatment since mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is required for metastasis and cancer stem cell survival. These two processes represent the major causes of death from cancer and cancer relapses respectively.”, said Dr. Luc Berthiaume, CSO of Pacylex. “Coupled with our previous evidence that zelenirstat strongly disrupts cancer cell signaling, we have now established two myristoylation-related mechanisms to explain selective sensitivity of cancer cells to NMT inhibition.”
- For additional information, please visit www.pacylex.com.
- For more information:
- Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Contact: Michael J. Weickert
- CEO, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- E: michael.weickert@pacylex.com
- P: 650-218-1840
- Twitter @Pacylex (https://twitter.com/pacylex)
- LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/pacylex-pharma)
- Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pacylex)
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Zelenirstat (formerly identified as PCLX-001) is a first-in-class, oral, small molecule NMTi being developed to treat patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. In animal models, zelenirstat selectively killed cancer cells in vitro and has been shown to regress hematologic malignancies and inhibit the growth of lung and breast cancer tumors. In AML models, zelenirstat killed leukemic stem enriched cell populations and allowed the regeneration and growth of normal bone marrow cells.
Pacylex completed the dose escalation phase of a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics study on zelenirstat in r/r lymphoma and solid tumor patients (NCT04836195). A recommended Phase 2 dose was determined. Zelenirstat demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, pharmacokinetics consistent with once daily oral dosing, and early signs of efficacy.
Pacylex is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, targeting hematologic and solid cancers with orally bioavailable NMT inhibitors. Zelenirstat is the lead drug in a new class of NMT inhibitors, enabling Pacylex to exploit NMTs as new clinical targets for cancer treatment. Pacylex is conducting a multi-center Phase 1/2a study in Canada in patients with R/R NHL and advanced solid tumors. The IND for a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose study in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been cleared and the FDA has granted zelenirstat both Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation for AML. The US Department of Defense is supporting the initial clinical investigation of zelenirstat in patients with AML. The Cure Cancer Foundation supported initial clinical studies through its World’s Longest Games.
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