Step Pharma and Calym launch a partnership to explore the role of CTP Synthase 1 in lymphoma and myeloma
Carnot CALYM institute, an academic consortium that aims at accelerating innovation in the lymphoma field, and Step Pharma are pleased to announce the initiation of a preclinical partnership to explore the role of CTPS1 in Mantle Cell lymphoma (MCL) and Multiple Myeloma.
This program will be conducted in Nantes by the INSERM research team led by David Chiron, Martine Amiot and Catherine Pellat-Deceunynck, whose research focuses on multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma (cancers of the blood and lymphatic system). The team will use in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate the effects of Step Pharma’s CTPS1 inhibitors on cells derived from MCL and Multiple Myeloma.
« This partnership will enable in-depth evaluation of the potential for CTPS1 inhibitors to target multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. It will provide important information as we develop our clinical trial plans for our candidate drug, STP938» says Andrew Parker, CEO of Step Pharma
Step Pharma is developing inhibitors of CTPS1 as immuno-modulatory molecules for oncology and autoimmune diseases. CTPS1 is required for DNA synthesis particularly in the lymphocyte population of cells. Specific inhibition of CTPS1 is expected to selectively affect proliferating cells associated with aggressive lymphomas and myeloma. Expression of CTPS1 has been shown to be elevated in ibrutinib-refractory mantle cell lymphoma patients, for which there are few therapeutic alternatives. The Carnot CALYM Institute, a member of the FINDMED consortium, supported the project through the CHICHE initiative (CHallengez les Instituts Carnot cHimie et santE !) (https://findmed.fr/projet-chiche/).
« The development of this inhibitor by Step Pharma will provide additional therapeutic options for relapsed and refractory patients who have few alternatives today. » commented Andrew Parker, CEO of Step Pharma.
INSERM Team member of CALYM, «Regulation of Bcl2 and p53 networks in Multiple Myeloma and Mantle Cell Lymphoma» led by David Chiron, Martine Amiot and Catherine Pellat-Deceunynck & David Chiron at Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Nantes-Angers, specializes in the alterations of pathways involved in oncogenesis, intrinsic regulation (genomic anomalies, chromosomals) and extrinsic (environmental regulation) of chemo-resistance as well as resistance acquired during treatments. Equipe CALYM
Step Pharma is a French biotech company created on the basis of research on genetic immunodeficiencies led by Prof. Alain Fischer and Dr. Sylvain Latour at the Imagine Institute (Paris, France) which established the essential role of CTPS1 in T- and B-cell proliferation. Step Pharma has developed selective, orally available, small molecule inhibitors of CTPS1 and is progressing it’s lead compound STP938 towards clinical development. https://www.step-ph.com/
L’institut Carnot CALYM is a member of the FINDMED consortium. This consortium of 18 Carnot Institutes is facilitating collaborations between academic partners and French SMEs. FINDMED, through its CHICHE initiative! (CHallenge the Carnot cHimie and SantE Institutes!) (https://findmed.fr/projet-chiche/) supported this project.
