Sapience Therapeutics is developing first-in-class peptide antagonists, known as SPEARs™, that target oncogenic and immune-modulating pathways to treat advanced solid tumors. Their approach addresses the limitations of existing therapies by disrupting critical protein interactions at the source of cancer, offering new treatment options for patients with significant unmet medical needs.
Funding
$77.5M 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.
Founders
Product
Problem
Many advanced solid tumors lack effective treatment options due to the limitations of existing therapies in targeting the underlying oncogenic and immune-modulating pathways. Disrupting critical protein-protein interactions at the source of cancer development remains a significant challenge.
Solution
Sapience Therapeutics is developing a new class of peptide antagonists, called SPEARs™ (Stabilized Peptides Engineered Against Regulation), designed to target key oncogenic and immune-modulating pathways in advanced solid tumors. SPEARs™ are engineered to combine the favorable properties of both small molecules and antibodies, enabling them to disrupt critical protein-protein interactions that drive cancer progression. The company's lead programs, ST101 and ST316, are currently in clinical studies, evaluating their potential to address cancer at its source. Sapience's approach aims to overcome the limitations of traditional therapies by directly interfering with the disease's fundamental mechanisms.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with advanced solid tumors who have limited treatment options, as well as oncologists and researchers seeking novel therapeutic approaches.
Features
- SPEARs™ (Stabilized Peptides Engineered Against Regulation) technology platform for developing peptide antagonists.
- ST101: A SPEAR targeting specific oncogenic pathways, currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors including Glioblastoma (GBM).
- ST316: A SPEAR targeting β-catenin, a key protein in the Wnt signaling pathway, currently in Phase 1-2 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors including colorectal cancer.
- ADAPT™ (Affinity-Directed Allosteric Peptide Therapeutics) platform for designing peptides that modulate protein function through allosteric mechanisms.