Auron Announces Oral Presentation on Preclinical Data from Proprietary AURIGIN™ Platform at the AI in Biomedicine Keystone Symposia
May 01 2024 - 8:00AM
Auron Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing
next-generation targeted therapies by identifying and inhibiting
the oncogenic cell states of cancer, today announced an oral
presentation on the company’s proprietary AURIGIN™ platform at the
AI in Biomedicine Keystone Symposia held May 1-3, 2024.
The plasticity of cancer cells allows them to transition between
different phenotypic states in response to microenvironmental cues
or therapeutic interventions. Targeting the molecular pathways that
regulate cellular plasticity can hinder tumor progression and
metastasis. As highlighted in the presentation, Auron built AURIGIN
to identify the drivers of tumor plasticity and altered cellular
state, and to develop small molecule therapies that selectively
address the causative genes behind those altered cell states.
“Targeting cancer cell states involves a deep understanding of
the dynamic nature of cancer cells as they progress through various
stages of growth, metastasis, treatment response and, very
frequently, resistance to treatment. By targeting cancer cell
states, a clinically and commercially validated approach, we aim to
disrupt the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to survive,
proliferate and metastasize,” stated David Millan, Ph.D., Auron’s
Chief Scientific Officer. “Using AURIGIN to discover, prioritize,
and validate the most compelling targets, we then apply deep
structure-based drug design and chemistry capabilities and insights
from leading oncology physician-scientists to develop targeted
small molecule therapies that we believe may be more effective in
combatting the complex and evolving nature of cancer.”
AURIGIN is designed to be more comprehensive than previously
disclosed single cell atlases by focusing on and enriching the
plastic stem, progenitor, and developmental cell states commonly
found in cancer. The platform standardizes and integrates these
progenitor cell states with multiple atlases of differentiated
adult tissues to create a unified atlas of human development. Using
AURIGIN, Auron can precisely identify and predict the most relevant
gene targets driving tumor cell plasticity, identify models that
map to the relevant classified plastic states, and define
clinically relevant patient selection and treatment efficacy
biomarkers, all of which enables the efficient discovery and
development of novel targeted cancer therapies.
Leveraging AURIGIN, Auron has discovered and developed its lead
product candidate, AUTX-703, a potent and selective degrader of
KAT2A/B, a first-in-class target with a validated mechanism
identified as a driver of tumor cell plasticity in multiple
cancers. Auron is developing AUTX-703 as an oral small molecule
therapy for the treatment of small cell lung cancer, neuroendocrine
prostate cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AUTX-703 is
progressing in IND-enabling studies, and the company expects to
submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the end of
2024.
About Auron Therapeutics
Auron Therapeutics is a patient-centered, platform-powered,
product-driven oncology company. Auron is leading the next
generation of targeted cancer therapies by identifying and
inhibiting the oncogenic cell states of cancer. Auron pioneered its
AURIGIN™ platform, which uses AI and machine learning to compare
normal cell states with cancerous cell states to identify novel
cancer targets, optimal development models, and biomarkers to
facilitate proper patient selection. Using AURIGIN, the Company is
building a pipeline of small molecule targeted therapies, led by
AUTX-703, which is being developed for the treatment of both solid
tumors, including small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine
prostate cancer, and hematologic malignancies, including acute
myeloid leukemia. For more information, please visit
aurontx.com.
Contact:
Monique AllaireTHRUST Strategic
Communicationsmonique@thrustsc.com