TORL BioTherapeutics has announced the closing of a $158 million oversubscribed Series B-2 financing, led by Deep Track Capital, to propel the clinical development of its innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) oncology pipeline. The financing includes new participation from RA Capital Management, Perceptive Advisors, and Avidity Partners, alongside existing biotechnology investors.
The funding will primarily support the advancement of TORL-1-23, a first-in-class ADC targeting Claudin 6 positive (CLDN 6+) solid tumors. Specifically, the proceeds will facilitate the completion of Phase 1 studies and the initiation of a pivotal Phase 2 trial in the second half of 2024. This Phase 2 trial is designed to support regulatory review and potential approvals for TORL-1-23 as a novel therapy for patients with CLDN 6+, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Expanding ADC Pipeline
In addition to TORL-1-23, the financing will also support ongoing Phase 1 studies for other promising programs in TORL's pipeline:
- TORL-2-307: Both a monoclonal antibody (mAb) and an ADC targeting Claudin 18.2 positive (CLDN 18.2+) solid tumors.
- TORL-3-600: An ADC designed for the treatment of Cadherin 17 positive (CDH17+) advanced colorectal cancer.
- TORL-4-500: An ADC targeting Delta like non-canonical Notch Ligand 1 (DLK1) positive solid tumors.
Scientific Foundation and Leadership
TORL's pipeline of targets, ADCs, and mAbs originates from the laboratory of Board Member and Scientific Co-founder Dennis Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Slamon's research was pivotal in identifying HER2 as a therapeutic target in breast cancer, leading to the development of trastuzumab (Herceptin®), and CDK4/6 as a target in hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer, resulting in the development of palbociclib (Ibrance®) and ribociclib (Kisqali®).
"TORL is built on more than thirty years of experience discovering molecular alterations associated with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies," said Dr. Slamon. "This work is followed by development of new and novel targeted therapeutics and clinical strategies for their use to improve and extend the lives of patients challenged with these diseases."
Clinical Trial Details
Several Phase 1 clinical trials are currently underway to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, biomarkers, and antitumor activity of TORL's ADC candidates. These include:
- TORL123-001 (TRIO-049): Evaluating TORL-1-23 in CLDN6+ tumors (NCT05103683).
- TORL2307MAB-001 (TRIO-051): Assessing TORL-2-307MAB in CLDN18.2+ solid tumors (NCT05159440).
- TORL2307ADC-001 (TRIO-052): Investigating TORL-2-307ADC in CLDN18.2+ solid tumors (NCT05156866).
- TORL3600-001 (TRIO-055): Studying TORL-3-600 in CDH17+ colorectal cancer (NCT05948826).
- TORL 4-500-001 (TRIO-056): Examining TORL-4-500 in DLK1+ solid tumors (NCT06005740).
With this significant financial backing, TORL BioTherapeutics is poised to advance its ADC pipeline and potentially deliver breakthrough therapies for patients with serious unmet medical needs in cancer.
