Bio-Path Holdings' BP1003 Demonstrates Therapeutic Potential in Diverse Cancers

Key Insights

• Bio-Path Holdings announces a publication in _Biomedicines_ highlighting BP1003's therapeutic potential across various cancer types.
• BP1003, a STAT3 mRNA-targeting antisense drug, showed broad anti-tumor effects in preclinical models of breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.
• The study suggests BP1003 could enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapies in treating difficult-to-treat cancers by targeting STAT3.

Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPTH) has announced the publication of a new study in the journal Biomedicines, showcasing the therapeutic potential of its drug candidate, BP1003, across a range of cancer types. The study, titled "BP1003 Decreases STAT3 Expression and Its Pro-Tumorigenic Functions in Solid Tumors and the Tumor Microenvironment," details the drug's effectiveness in preclinical solid tumor models.

BP1003: Targeting STAT3 for Broad Anti-Tumor Effects

BP1003 is a liposome-incorporated antisense oligodeoxynucleotide designed to target STAT3 mRNA. Its unique design enhances stability, cellular uptake, and target affinity. Overexpression and aberrant activation of STAT3 contributes to tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and tumor-immune evasion, making it a probable cancer therapeutic target. The research indicates that BP1003 has a broad anti-tumor effect in preclinical solid tumor models, including breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.

Scientific Rationale and Potential Clinical Impact

The study, co-authored by Maria Gagliardi, Ph.D., Michael Roberts, and Ana Tari Ashizawa, Ph.D., along with investigators from Thomas Jefferson University and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, provides a rationale for BP1003's potential to enhance the efficacy of current standard of care chemotherapies in a broad range of difficult-to-treat cancers. Dr. Tari Ashizawa stated, "Overexpression and aberrant activation of STAT3 contributes to tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and tumor-immune evasion, making it a probable cancer therapeutic target. Consequently, we believe BP1003 has the potential to enhance the efficacy of current standard of care chemotherapies in a broad range of difficult to treat cancers."

Bio-Path's Pipeline and Future Development

Bio-Path Holdings is advancing a pipeline of RNAi nanoparticle drugs using its DNAbilize® technology. The company's lead product candidate, prexigebersen (BP1001), is currently in a Phase 2 study for blood cancers. BP1001-A, a modified version of prexigebersen, is in a Phase 1/1b study for solid tumors. BP1002, targeting the Bcl-2 protein, is being evaluated for blood cancers and solid tumors, including lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. The company anticipates filing an IND application for BP1003, further solidifying its commitment to developing targeted nucleic acid cancer drugs.