Onchilles Expands Leadership Team to Advance First-in-Class Cancer Therapies
Roberts-Thomson, a new addition to Onchilles' leadership team, brings over 23 years of global clinical development and operational expertise. She has previously held senior roles at leading organizations such as Genentech, Acerta Pharma, and Treadwell Therapeutics, where she was instrumental in advancing oncology-focused programs and guiding clinical trials through key milestones. Her experience is expected to be invaluable as Onchilles transitions to a clinical-stage company.
Dr. Lev Becker's discovery of the ELANE pathway has been pivotal for Onchilles. This novel innate immune mechanism, where neutrophil elastase (ELANE) selectively kills cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, was published in Cell in 2021. This discovery underpins the development of two candidates: NEU-002, designed for systemic IV delivery, and N17350, for intratumoral administration. These therapies aim to treat cancer irrespective of genetic background, anatomical origin, or immunotype, offering a unique approach to cancer therapy.
Onchilles Pharma plans to initiate a Phase 1 trial of its lead candidate, N17350, in 2025. This trial will explore the safety and efficacy of the ELANE pathway in humans, marking a significant step towards the potential of ELANE-based therapies. Onchilles is focused on creating next-generation, pan-cancer therapeutics that could transform cancer treatment by providing broad tumor-killing capabilities with immune preservation. The company's pipeline targets a range of cancers, including head & neck, skin, breast, and lung cancers, with first-in-human trials expected to begin in 2025.