Epigenetics is a branch
of genetics that studies the heritable changes in gene expression without changing the nucleotide sequence of a gene.
In recent years, more and more studies have confirmed that the abnormal expression and dysfunction of enzymes that regulate epigenetics play an important role
in the occurrence and development of diseases.
Therefore, epigenetic enzymes have gradually become an important target for drug discovery and development, and at the same time, this field is constantly attracting the attention and investment of large pharmaceutical companies
.
For example, Merck recently announced the acquisition of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Imago for a high price of $1.
35 billion, and the transaction
is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
According to the data, Imago is a company that develops new drugs for the treatment of myeloproliferative tumors and other bone marrow diseases, and its core assets are the oral drug Bomedemstat (IMG-7289), a lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitor, mainly used for the treatment of primary thrombocytosis (ET), myelofibrosis (MF) and true erythrocytosis (PV) and other indications, and is currently in multiple phase II clinical trials
.
It is understood that LSD1 is a classic target for epigenetic therapy
.
Prior to this, BMS (Bristol-Myers Squibb), which owns Opdiva, which owns the "O drug" asset, was developing therapeutic opportunities
for PD-1 monoclonal antibody and LSD1 small molecules in indications such as small cell lung cancer after acquiring Celgene.
In addition to acquiring new drugs through acquisitions, many pharmaceutical companies are also increasing their layout in this field
through innovation.
It is reported that the research and development of epigenetic drugs of many companies has also entered the clinical trial and even marketing stage
.
For example, in September this year, Guizhou Bailing announced that Chengdu Zhenling Biomedical Technology Co.
, Ltd.
(hereinafter referred to as "Zhenling Biotechnology"), a shareholding subsidiary of the company, recently received the approval of the Clinical Trial Ethics Review Committee of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, agreeing that the company would carry out an open-ended, multi-center phase II.
clinical study
on the effectiveness and safety of "pristatat mesylate mesylate for injection" in the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL).
According to the announcement, pristat mesylate mesylate (PM) for injection is an epigenetic target histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC) developed by Zhenling Biotechnology, with a new chemical structure, which belongs to the original innovative drug
developed according to Class 1 of the chemical drug registration classification of the "Measures for the Administration of Drug Registration", "innovative drugs that have not been marketed at home and abroad".
In October, Daiichi Sankyo EZHARMIA (Valemetostat, Valemetostat) (DS-3201, DS-3201b) was approved for marketing in Japan for the treatment of refractory leukemia and lymphoma, becoming the first dual inhibitor
of EZH1/2 to receive regulatory approval.
Valmetaltostat is a first-in-class EZH1/2 dual inhibitor that shows activity
in both T cell and B-cell lymphoma.
EZH1 belongs to histone methyltransferases and is the main epigenetic regulator
.
It is worth mentioning that Sailan Pharmaceutical Technology Co.
, Ltd.
is a domestic enterprise focusing on the field of epigenetics, the company was founded in 2019, mainly based on a new generation of epigenetic mechanisms and epigenomics achievements, the development of innovative therapeutic drugs and diagnosis and treatment methods
.
It is reported that in order to solve the problem of epigenetics lacking transformation pathways in line with industry standards, it has built the EpigenPLUS technology platform, which can develop a new generation of innovative drugs and diagnosis and treatment methods targeting cancer and immune system based on epigenomics and tumor diagnosis and treatment mechanisms, and transform original epigenetic research results into applications
.
In general, the epigenetic drug track is attracting the attention
of many domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies.
The industry expects that in the context of epigenetic targeted therapy, especially the lethal mechanism of tumor synthesis and tumor immunotherapy is emerging new opportunities, it is expected that more and more companies will flood into this track
in the future.
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