Ottimo Pharma has emerged from stealth mode with industry veteran David Epstein at its helm, marking a significant development in the competitive landscape of cancer immunotherapy. The company, backed by U.K. venture firm Medicxi, is developing a novel bi-functional antibody that simultaneously targets two critical cancer pathways.
Novel Dual-targeting Approach
The company's lead candidate, jankistomig, is designed to block both PD-1 and VEGFR2 pathways, which are crucial in tumor growth and immune evasion. This innovative approach aims to address the limitations of current immunotherapies, where only a minority of patients achieve durable responses.
The strategic targeting of VEGFR2, rather than VEGF directly, represents a thoughtful approach to minimize common side effects associated with VEGF inhibition, such as hypertension and proteinuria. This design choice could potentially offer a better safety profile while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
Leadership and Expertise
The company has assembled a notable leadership team, bringing together significant industry experience:
- David Epstein as Chairman and CEO, fresh from his role at Seagen following its $43 billion acquisition by Pfizer
- Mehdi Shahidi, former Boehringer Ingelheim Chief Medical Officer, as head of development and CMO
- James Sabry, previously Roche's dealmaking executive, as Vice Chairman
Market Context and Potential
The development comes at a crucial time in cancer immunotherapy, following encouraging results from similar dual-targeting approaches. Earlier this year, a comparable drug developed by Akeso and Summit Therapeutics demonstrated superior performance against Merck's Keytruda in lung cancer trials in China.
The field has seen increased activity, with companies like BioNTech and Instil Bio also developing similar therapeutic approaches. This growing interest reflects the potential of dual-targeting strategies to overcome the limitations of current immunotherapy options.
Development Timeline
Ottimo Pharma plans to submit regulatory applications for its first clinical trial in 2025. While specific tumor types haven't been disclosed, the company indicates its therapy could benefit patients across various solid tumor types.
"This new medicine is exquisitely designed and offers large potential benefits to patients across a wide range of solid tumors," stated Epstein, emphasizing the broad potential application of their approach.
Scientific and Clinical Implications
The development of jankistomig represents a potential advancement in cancer immunotherapy, where current checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda and Opdivo, while revolutionary, show limited efficacy in many patients. The dual-targeting approach could potentially offer improved responses compared to existing monotherapies or combination treatments.
The company's focus on VEGFR2 specifically demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the mechanism of action and potential side effect management, which could prove crucial for clinical success and patient outcomes.
