Develops small molecule therapeutics targeting mutated APC (_APCmut_) colorectal cancer cells through synthetic lethality, with minimal toxicity to normal cells. The lead candidate, BT-1501, demonstrates significant tumor growth inhibition in preclinical models and is set to enter Phase 1 trials in 2025, addressing a critical unmet need in a disease responsible for over 1 million deaths annually.
Funding
$14M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
CPFounders
Product
Problem
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with a significant portion of cases driven by mutated APC (_APCmut_) genes. Existing treatments often lack specificity, leading to toxicity in normal cells and limited efficacy in advanced _APCmut_ CRC. There is a critical need for targeted therapies that selectively eliminate _APCmut_ cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Solution
Barricade Therapeutics is developing small molecule therapeutics, including lead candidate BT-1501, that selectively target and eliminate _APCmut_ colorectal cancer cells through synthetic lethality. Their approach leverages the inhibition of emopamil binding protein (EBP), a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, which is essential for the survival of _APCmut_ cancer cells. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Barricade's TASIN (Targeted Anti-cancer Small molecule INhibitor) compounds exhibit potent tumor growth inhibition in CRC models while demonstrating minimal toxicity to normal cells. Barricade is also exploring TASIN compounds for demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, based on their ability to restore myelin formation around nerve cells by directly binding and inhibiting EBP. BT-1501 is slated to enter Phase 1 clinical trials in 2025, offering a potential new treatment option for patients with advanced _APCmut_ CRC.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with advanced _APCmut_ colorectal cancer, as well as pharmaceutical companies and researchers focused on developing novel therapies for cancer and demyelinating diseases.
Features
- Selective targeting of _APCmut_ colorectal cancer cells via synthetic lethality
- Inhibition of emopamil binding protein (EBP), a key intermediate enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis
- TASIN compounds demonstrate potent tumor growth inhibition in preclinical CRC models
- Minimal toxicity to normal cells observed in preclinical studies
- BT-1501, a clinical candidate for _APCmut_ CRC, is advancing towards Phase 1 trials
- Exploring TASIN compounds for demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
- TASINs promote myelin restoration by directly binding and inhibiting EBP