Onco-Innovations is a Canadian biotech focused on DNA damage response therapies, developing the nanoparticle‑encapsulated PNKP inhibitor ONC010 to treat cancers resistant to standard care. The company combines proprietary drug candidates with advanced nanoparticle tumor delivery and an AI‑native discovery platform to improve precision targeting and enhance outcomes when used alongside chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Their approach aims to block DNA repair in cancer cells, reducing side effects and improving patient survival.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Many solid tumors develop resistance to chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery by repairing DNA damage, which limits treatment effectiveness and often leads to higher toxicity from dose escalation.
Solution
Onco-Innovations creates DNA damage response therapies that inhibit the enzyme Polynucleotide Kinase Phosphatase (PNKP), a key component of the DNA repair pathway. Their lead candidate, ONC010, couples a proprietary PNKP inhibitor with a nanoparticle delivery system that concentrates the drug within tumors. An AI‑driven discovery platform accelerates optimization of the inhibitor and formulation. By blocking DNA repair selectively in cancer cells, ONC010 is intended to enhance the cytotoxic impact of standard therapies while reducing systemic side effects. The approach is designed for solid tumors that have become refractory to existing treatment regimens.
Target Audience
Primary customers are oncology pharmaceutical developers and clinical research organizations seeking DDR‑targeted agents for solid tumor indications, as well as oncologists treating patients with therapy‑resistant cancers.
Features
- Proprietary small‑molecule inhibitor targeting PNKP, a novel class of DNA damage response agents
- Nanoparticle encapsulation that improves tumor uptake and minimizes exposure to healthy tissue
- AI‑native platform for rapid design, screening, and optimization of DDR inhibitors
- Compatibility with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical interventions to boost overall efficacy
- Preclinical data indicating enhanced tumor cell kill and reduced toxicity compared with standard dosing