Tasca Therapeutics Launches with $52 Million to Advance Novel Oncology Platform

Key Insights

• Tasca Therapeutics has secured $52 million in Series A funding to advance its drug discovery platform targeting lipid-binding pockets on proteins.
• The funding will support the progression of Tasca's lead program, CP-383, into Phase 1/2 clinical trials for multiple cancer types.
• CP-383, a first-in-class molecule, has demonstrated anti-cancer activity in preclinical studies and will be evaluated in small cell lung, colorectal, head and neck, and brain cancers.

Tasca Therapeutics Corp. has launched with a $52 million Series A financing to advance its novel drug discovery platform. The funding, co-led by Regeneron Ventures and Cure Ventures, will be used to progress Tasca's lead program, CP-383, into Phase 1/2 clinical studies and expand its drug candidate pipeline. CP-383 is a first-in-class molecule demonstrating efficacy across multiple cancer types.

Novel Drug Discovery Platform

Tasca's platform leverages mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify proteins that undergo auto-palmitoylation, a post-translational modification. These sites, once mapped, serve as unique binding sites for therapeutics that can modify the target protein's function. This approach allows Tasca to target previously undruggable proteins across a range of therapeutic indications.

CP-383: A First-in-Class Molecule

CP-383 has demonstrated robust anti-cancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies across a broad range of human cancers. The drug candidate will initially be evaluated in clinical trials for small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, and brain cancer patients.

"We are excited to enter this next phase of company growth with financial support from such leading life science investors," said Milenko Cicmil, co-founder and chief executive officer of Tasca. "Our first development candidate, CP-383, is a unique first-in-class molecule demonstrating excellent efficacy across multiple cancer types and we are looking forward to progressing it into the clinic."

Leadership and Expertise

Tasca's executive leadership team brings decades of experience in drug discovery and development from major pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Novartis.

"I was immediately impressed by Tasca’s in vivo data, that combined with the amazing leadership that Milenko provides and backing of strong firms like Regeneron Ventures and Cure Ventures," said Praveen Tipirneni, M.D., and chairman of the board. "I look forward to bringing my Morphic Therapeutic experience to the Tasca team."