OncoArendi continues to grow by executing further steps of the strategy and initiates two new drug discovery programs within its existing research platforms

According to the strategy released in March, OncoArendi Therapeutics S.A. (WSE: OAT) expands its existing innovative drug discovery platforms by launching two new programs: CHIT1 SELECTIVE focusing on new therapeutic areas within the chitinase platform and a new program in the deubiquitinase (DUBs) platform in oncology indications. These activities are in line with strategic plans announced for the coming years leading to dynamic growth and expansion into new therapeutic targets.

The selective CHIT1 inhibitor will be developed as a potential therapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and / or a broad spectrum of neurological diseases that are characterized by excessive activation of inflammatory cells. Progress in development of drug candidates in this therapeutic area depends on the ability to optimize the developed compounds for blood-brain barrier permeability.

The second new program, launched in the DUBs platform, builds on the experience gained by the Company research team in this area and naturally expands the pool of therapeutic targets in the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family. Inhibiting the activity of the newly selected enzyme from the USP group (specific protein from the USP family will not be disclosed at this stage) opens the possibility of innovative and unique therapeutic approaches in immuno-oncology.

“Expanding our drug discovery portfolio with these new programs is a natural continuation of the development of the existing platforms in the Company’s pipeline, in which we have built unique scientific and research experience. The CHIT1 SELECTIVE inhibitor program is the next step in expansion of the chitinase platform and provides opportunities to further leverage the Company’s collaboration agreement with Galapagos. At the same time the new program in the DUBs platform allows us to optimize the use of experience and talent of our research team to most effectively implement our expanded R&D strategy. We can see that immuno-oncology has become one of the most dynamically growing areas in biotechnology, therefore we aim at best utilization of our competences in this realm.” – says Rafał Kamiński, Member of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer of OncoArendi Therapeutics.