Targeting DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways
Artios leverages its unparalleled insights into the ensemble of DDR pathways within cells to go beyond synthetic lethality, unlocking new opportunities for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
DNA Damage Response (DDR)
The DNA Damage Response (DDR) is a critical set of cellular processes that maintains the integrity of the genome. By detecting and repairing DNA damage, DDR pathways help prevent the accumulation of toxic damaged DNA. Key processes of the DDR include: (1) DNA repair mechanisms – these correct DNA damage to preserve genetic information; (2) cell cycle checkpoints – the checkpoints ensure that cells do not proceed through the cell cycle with damaged DNA; and (3) apoptosis – this process eliminates cells that have irreparable DNA damage. Together, these processes prevent the negative effects of DNA damage.
Targeting the Totality of the DDR in Cancer
- HRD tumors
- PARPi resistance
- Small cell lung cancer
- Combination therapies
- 10 to 15% of all cancers
- High prevalence in sarcomas
- Activation of cGAS/STING
- IO combination
Targeting tumor cells through DDR
Tumor cells rely heavily on DDR pathways to manage DNA damage and ensure their survival. By targeting the vulnerabilities of tumor cells and inhibiting key components of the DDR, cancerous cells can be effectively killed while sparing healthy ones. This approach offers a promising new strategy for treating malignant diseases and addresses the limitations of traditional DNA-damaging agents like chemotherapy and radiation.
Toxicity of current DNA-damaging therapies
An inability to distinguish between cancerous and normal tissue yields toxicity, limits ability to dose, and compromises efficacy
Resistance to current anticancer agents, including PARP inhibitors
Up to 50% of patients with BRCA-deficient tumors fail to respond to PARP inhibition, the standard of care in many advanced cancers. Those who initially respond will eventually develop acquired resistance and the treatment will ultimately fail
Limitations of immunotherapies
A substantial portion of malignant disease is not amenable to immunotherapy, a strategy that has been proven to be highly effective in treating select cancers
Our portfolio exploits the totality of the DDR to address cancers with significant unmet needs.
Artios’ Approach to Targeting DDR Pathways
Our comprehensive anti-cancer approach takes advantage of the full range of DDR-based tumor vulnerabilities, going beyond synthetic lethality.
Our pipeline contains product candidates with first- and best-in-class potential based on our insights into a cell’s ensemble of DDR pathways. Our product candidates are selected with differentiated pharmaceutical properties, and our clinical development strategies are designed to pursue multiple opportunities simultaneously, including various combination therapies, to address a spectrum of high unmet need indications.
Artios’ pipeline is driven by our proprietary platform, DcoDeR, a specialized approach that harnesses the entirety of DDR biology to unlock its potential and drive groundbreaking clinical development strategies through optimal drug combinations, specific biomarker-driven insights, disease positioning, and patient stratification
