Biotechnology company Insilico Medicine has announced the dosing of the first patient in a global Phase I trial of its newest mesothelioma drug innovation. The company’s chief medical officer, Sujata Rao, MD, says that ISM6331 was developed to prevent the proliferation and survival of tumor cells, doing so by blocking the transcription of multiple genes that promote cancer progression.
Company Leverages Artificial Intelligence in Developing Mesothelioma Drugs
Insilico has been working towards using generative Artificial Intelligence in designing drugs to treat mesothelioma and other illnesses since 2016 when it introduced its Pharma.AI platform. Since then, it has introduced nearly two dozen preclinical drug candidates, including ISM6331, which recently received orphan drug designation from the FDA.
The clinical trial is testing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of the mesothelioma drug, described as a novel pan-TEAD inhibitor for the treatment of solid tumors. It is being conducted in multiple centers in both the United States and China, with the first patient recently being dosed in China. The Phase I trial will look at dose escalation and dose selection optimization.
New Drug Would Prevent the Proliferation and Survival of Mesothelioma Cells
According to a press release issued by the company, ISM6331 aims to block the transcription of genes that promote cancer progression, thus restoring the balance of the HIPPO pathway and stopping tumor cells from proliferating. The drug’s developers hope that it can be used alone and in combination with other therapies. Early studies show significant potential.
Feng Ren, Ph.D., Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Insilico Medicine, says, “We look forward to further clinical validation of ISM6331 and to translating these promising preclinical findings into tangible clinical benefits for patients.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, innovative research like this offers real hope for improved outcomes. For more information, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
