Auron Therapeutics has achieved a significant milestone in its oncology program with FDA clearance to initiate clinical trials for AUTX-703, alongside securing $27 million in Series B financing. The development marks a crucial step forward in the company's mission to address challenging cancers through cell-state plasticity targeting.
The FDA's clearance of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application enables Auron to commence clinical development of AUTX-703, their novel oral KAT2A/B degrader, in patients with hematological malignancies. The drug candidate, developed using the company's proprietary AURIGIN™ Platform, showed promising results in preclinical studies presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, demonstrating significant survival advantages in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) models.
Strategic Expansion into Multiple Indications
Beyond hematological malignancies, Auron has outlined plans to evaluate AUTX-703 in solid tumors, specifically targeting neuroendocrine prostate and small-cell lung cancer. The company is also exploring the therapeutic potential of KAT2A/B inhibition in autoimmune diseases, signaling a broader application of their technology platform.
Funding and Development Timeline
The Series B financing round, led by DCVC Bio with participation from notable investors including Apollo Health Ventures, Arkin Bio Ventures, and BrightEdge, will primarily support AUTX-703's Phase 1 clinical proof-of-concept trial in AML. Patient enrollment is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
"I'm proud of the work the Auron team has done establishing a strong product profile for AUTX-703, using an innovative approach to cell state biology to tackle some of the deadliest cancers," stated Kate Yen, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Auron.
Platform Technology and Future Direction
The company's AURIGIN™ platform leverages AI and machine learning to analyze cell states, identifying novel drug targets and biomarkers for patient selection. This approach has garnered attention from industry experts, with Serge Messerlian, Operating Partner at DCVC Bio and Auron Board Director, highlighting its potential to address the growing demand for targeted therapies and patient-specific trials.
"The power of Auron's approach lies in its ability to leverage novel biological insights, enabling the discovery of validated therapeutic targets, optimized model systems for early de-risking, and biomarkers that guide precise patient selection," Messerlian explained.
The funding will also support the advancement of drug discovery efforts focused on novel EMT tumor targets identified through the AURIGIN platform, reinforcing Auron's commitment to developing innovative therapeutic solutions for both oncology and inflammatory diseases.
