The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Jabez Biosciences has reached a significant milestone in its oncology program with the dosing of the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial of JBZ-001, a novel dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor designed to target advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
The open-label study is being conducted at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James), with plans to expand to multiple U.S. sites. The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of JBZ-001 in patients with advanced malignancies.
"We are thrilled to reach this pivotal moment in the development of JBZ-001," said Tamara Jovonovich, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Jabez Biosciences. "Dosing our first patient brings us closer to realizing our vision of delivering best-in-class therapies that address the unmet needs of cancer patients."
Innovative Mechanism of Action
JBZ-001 (also known as HOSU-53) is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor specifically designed to disrupt de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis by targeting DHODH, the rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway. This mechanism is critical for cancer cell proliferation, making it a promising target for oncology therapeutics.
Preclinical studies, published in JCI Insights (2024), demonstrated JBZ-001's ability to induce significant tumor growth inhibition while maintaining a favorable safety profile in animal models. Beyond nucleotide depletion, the compound has shown additional mechanisms of action, including the induction of myeloid cell differentiation and enhanced anti-tumor activity.
Dr. Asrar Alahmadi, MBBS, lead Principal Investigator of the Phase 1 trial and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University, presented the clinical trial details at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting held in April 2025 in Chicago. The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06801002).
From Bench to Bedside
Jabez Biosciences, founded in 2024 by industry veterans, leverages decades of expertise to target key mechanistic drivers of cancer and tumor biology. The company's approach to drug development emphasizes both scientific innovation and commercial viability.
"JBZ-001 exemplifies our innovative approach," noted Dr. Jovonovich. "We utilize the efficient and scalable Suzuki reaction for synthesis, ensuring commercial viability while maintaining a focus on patient-centered outcomes."
The development of JBZ-001 represents a significant achievement in Jabez Biosciences' "bench-to-bedside" academic collaboration, with the compound receiving FDA approval for a commercial Investigational New Drug (IND) application in 2024.
Addressing Unmet Needs in Oncology
The current trial focuses on patients with advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with potential to expand into additional indications based on emerging data. Jabez Biosciences has expressed commitment to exploring combination approaches with JBZ-001 and established standards of care to maximize therapeutic impact.
"JBZ-001's unique mechanism of action, targeting multiple pathways beyond nucleotide depletion, offers hope for a broad spectrum of oncological indications," explained Dr. Jovonovich. "We are eager to see its potential unfold in this trial."
Looking to the Future
As the Phase 1 trial progresses, Jabez Biosciences remains focused on advancing its pipeline of targeted cancer therapies. The company's headquarters location appears to have shifted from Zionsville, Indiana, to Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, according to recent communications.
"This milestone reflects the dedication of our team and our partners," added Dr. Jovonovich. "We are grateful to the patients and clinical investigators who are making this trial possible and look forward to advancing JBZ-001 through the clinic."
The company has indicated that real-time evaluation of the drug's effects will guide future clinical development, potentially paving the way for expanded studies in multiple cancer indications.
