TORONTO, ON (January 07, 2015) – FACIT and Fluorinov Pharma announced today an investment in the development of highly potent inhibitors of key bromodomain targets. Targeting drugs to epigenetic modifications to DNA is an exciting new strategy in the fight against cancer. Bromodomain inhibitors have shown profound preclinical efficacy in models of leukemia, multiple myeloma, solid tumours and other non-oncology indications. However, first-generation inhibitors such as JQ-1 have poor drug-like properties that may limit their utility in patients.
Jeff Courtney, FACIT’s Chief Commercial Officer noted “Fluorinov’s one-of-a-kind technology platform is expanding the boundaries of medicinal chemistry, and FACIT is pleased to advance these important therapeutics towards clinical development. We believe this investment is key to unlocking the value of Fluorinov’s technologies for industry and patients alike, and is another example of FACIT’s work to strengthen innovative networks for worldclass cancer drug development in Ontario and Canada.”
Fluorinov’s oncology drugs have been developed through a broad collaborative network including the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), U.S. National Cancer Institute, and the laboratories of Drs. Sam Weiss and Artee Luchman at the University of Calgary. FACIT, together with Fluorinov, is exploring partnerships with investors and pharmaceutical companies and also pathways for clinical development for these and other innovative Ontario based cancer therapies.
“Fluorinov is very pleased to have FACIT’s support in further developing this important program. While we anticipated our proprietary technology would give rise to exceptional bioavailability, we were delighted to identify preclinical candidates with potencies and activity superior to competitor drugs” remarked Malik Slassi, President and Chief Scientific Officer at Fluorinov. “Clinical candidates from this class have a promising future with our hematology-oncology development partners at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.”