FoRx Therapeutics Secures $50M Series A to Advance PARG Inhibitor for PARP-Resistant Cancers
核心洞察
FoRx Therapeutics (搜索) closed a $50 million Series A financing led by existing investors to advance Phase 1 development of FORX-428, a potential best-in-class PARG (搜索) inhibitor targeting DNA damage response in advanced solid tumors.
FORX-428 represents a next-generation approach for treating patients whose cancers are resistant to or have become resistant to PARP inhibitors, addressing a significant unmet medical need.
The ongoing first-in-human Phase 1 study began recruitment in August 2025 and is expected to deliver initial clinical data by mid-2026, evaluating safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy.
FoRx Therapeutics (搜索) announced the completion of a $50 million Series A financing round to support the clinical development of FORX-428, a novel PARG (搜索) inhibitor designed to overcome resistance to PARP inhibitor therapies in cancer patients. The Basel-based clinical-stage biotechnology company secured funding from existing investors including EQT Life Sciences (搜索), Pfizer Ventures (搜索), Novartis Venture Fund (搜索), and M Ventures (搜索).
The financing will enable FoRx to advance its Phase 1 clinical trial of FORX-428, with initial data readout expected by mid-2026. The funding includes a first closing that occurred in June 2024, which supported the Investigational New Drug (IND) application and trial initiation.
Targeting DNA Damage Response Beyond PARP
FORX-428 represents a strategic evolution in DNA damage response (DDR) targeting, addressing limitations of current PARP inhibitor therapies. The compound is an orally available small molecule inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG (搜索)), a DNA repair enzyme critical for the survival of certain genetically defined cancers with specific DDR deficiencies or high replication stress.
"The funds from this investment will allow us to achieve initial clinical readout in our ongoing Phase 1 trial of FORX-428, which has shown very strong anti-tumor efficacy in multiple preclinical in vitro and in vivo tumor models," said Tarig Bashir, CEO of FoRx Therapeutics (搜索). "We are looking forward to reinforcing its best-in-class PARG (搜索) inhibitor characteristics and potential to make a significant difference to patients."
The development of PARP inhibitors more than 10 years ago transformed cancer treatment by exploiting the vulnerability of distinct genetic cancer subsets to DDR interference. FoRx is now pursuing PARG (搜索) as a next-generation DDR target, offering potential treatment options for patients whose cancers have developed resistance to PARP inhibitors.
Phase 1 Trial Progress
The ongoing first-in-human Phase 1 study of FORX-428 began patient recruitment in August 2025 in the United States. The open-label study is evaluating safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors who have exhausted standard-of-care treatment options.
Vincent Brichard from EQT Life Sciences (搜索) and board member at FoRx Therapeutics (搜索) commented, "Advances in PARG (搜索) inhibition hold significant potential as a therapeutic strategy in Oncology. Our syndicate's continued support of FoRx reflects our confidence in both, the lead candidate FORX-428, and the strong progress achieved by its experienced management team."
Preclinical Foundation
Preclinical studies of FORX-428 demonstrated robust anti-tumor activity across multiple solid tumor types, highlighting the compound's potential in both monotherapy and combination treatment settings. The drug candidate was well tolerated in preclinical models, demonstrating favorable drug-like pharmacology and safety profile characteristics.
PARG (搜索) functions as a DNA repair enzyme that plays an important role in the survival of certain genetically defined cancers, particularly those with specific DDR deficiencies or experiencing high replication stress. By targeting this enzyme, FORX-428 aims to disrupt cancer cell survival mechanisms that have developed resistance to existing PARP inhibitor therapies.