LYTAP

A new class of anti-inflammatory drug based on blocking the role of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) in inflammation.

The drugs coming from this platform are known as Lysosomal Targeting Peptides (or LYTAPs) and are first-in-class degraders of EGFR through lysosomal digestion.

The disease being targeted by this platform is:

• cancer

EGFR is a cell surface growth receptor that responds to bodily growth signals and is an important means by which healthy epithelial tissues maintain their function and growth.

EGFR function is deregulated in chronic inflammation, with EGFR dysfunction linked to skin diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), lung disease (COPD, cystic fibrosis), kidney fibrosis, and cancer.

Drugs that block EGFR function (EGFR inhibitors) are an important class of chemotherapy for many of the most common forms of cancers including lung, breast, head & neck and pancreas. Their two main limitations are (i) the readiness of EGFR to mutate and render drugs ineffective, and (ii) toxic side-effects.

Fourteen EGFR inhibitors have been developed to help overcome the mutation problem, but while about 70% of cancer patients respond initially to EGFR inhibitors, almost all will stop responding within 12-18 months.

LYTAPS have been designed to overcome these limitations via two unique features:

• binding to EGFR on a highly conserved position that is not prone to mutation
• driving the EGFR into lysosomes where the EGFR is degraded, resulting in up to 98% destruction of EGFR expression by the cancer cell.

A breakthrough technology for the treatment of many forms of cancer.

A breakthrough technology for the treatment of many other forms of chronic inflammatory disease where EGFR inhibition has been viewed as undruggable.