Olema Oncology is a preclinical biotechnology company focused on developing targeted therapeutics for breast cancer treatment and prevention. By utilizing advanced drug discovery techniques, Olema aims to address the high unmet medical need for effective therapies in this prevalent disease.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Despite the availability of endocrine therapies, a significant number of patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer still develop metastatic disease, highlighting the need for more effective and convenient treatment options that improve patient outcomes. Current treatments often fail to completely block the estrogen receptor, leaving vulnerabilities that cancer cells exploit for survival and proliferation.
Solution
Olema Oncology is developing targeted therapies to address the unmet need for effective treatments for ER+ breast cancer. Their lead investigational drug, palazestrant (OP-1250), is a novel, once-daily oral compound with combined activity as a complete estrogen receptor antagonist (CERAN) and a selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD). This dual mechanism is designed to completely block the estrogen receptor and its signaling pathway, potentially leading to deeper and more durable responses compared to existing therapies. Olema is also developing OP-3136, a KAT6 inhibitor, with potential utility in indications beyond breast cancer.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, as well as the medical professionals (oncologists) who treat them.
Features
- Palazestrant (OP-1250): A novel oral CERAN and SERD designed to completely block the estrogen receptor
- OP-3136: A KAT6 inhibitor with potential in multiple solid tumor models
- OPERA-01: Phase 3 trial investigating palazestrant monotherapy in 2nd/3rd line metastatic breast cancer
- OPERA-02: Phase 3 trial of palazestrant in combination with ribociclib in frontline metastatic breast cancer
- Ongoing Phase 1b/2 studies evaluating palazestrant in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors (ribociclib, palbociclib) or a PI3K inhibitor (alpelisib)
- Preclinical data demonstrating anti-tumor activity of OP-3136 in ovarian, prostate, and non-small cell lung cancer models
- Research-backed approach focusing on complete inactivation of the estrogen receptor signaling pathway