Epic Therapeutics, Inc. is developing RNA-based therapeutics that target METTL3 methyltransferase, a key enzyme linked to m6A modification, to inhibit tumor growth in acute myeloid leukemia and solid tumors. Their lead candidate, EP102, has demonstrated significant in vivo efficacy, addressing the critical need for effective cancer treatments amid the slow approval of new therapies.
Funding
$38.9M 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.
SRFounders
Product
Problem
Despite advancements in omics technologies, the approval of new cancer-reversing medicines by the FDA has not seen a corresponding surge. The complexity of proteomics and genomics data presents a significant obstacle in developing effective cancer treatments.
Solution
Epic Therapeutics is developing a novel class of RNA-based therapeutics targeting the epitranscriptome to treat a range of cancers. Their approach focuses on epigenetic RNA modifications, specifically targeting enzymes that modulate mRNA levels to selectively influence dysregulated pathways in cancer cells while minimizing impact on normal cells. Their lead program targets METTL3 methyltransferase, the key enzyme responsible for m6A transfer, which is linked to tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. EP102, their lead molecule, has demonstrated in vivo efficacy in arresting AML tumor progression and extends survival in aggressive AML scenarios, as well as showing strong tumor growth inhibition in ovarian, head and neck, and lung in vivo tumor models.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and solid tumors, as well as the medical professionals treating these conditions.
Features
- Targets METTL3 methyltransferase, a key enzyme responsible for m6A transfer, the most abundant mRNA modification.
- EP102 demonstrates strong in vivo efficacy in AML-PDX models and improves survival in aggressive AML scenarios.
- Data suggests potential targets in solid tumors, with findings in ovarian, head and neck, and lung in vivo tumor models.
- Small molecule RNA modulators addressing critical areas of unmet medical need.
- METTL3 is overexpressed in many liquid and solid tumors.
- High expression of METTL3 predicts poor survival.
- Knockdown of METTL3 slows tumor growth.
- m6A is a downstream marker of METTL3 activity.
- Decreased m6A correlates to decreased tumor growth.