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Fortress Biotech Announces Exclusive Worldwide License Agreement With Columbia University to Develop Novel Oligonucleotide Platform for the Treatment of Genetically Driven Cancers
Oncogenuity, Inc., a Fortress partner company, enters into an agreement with Columbia University to develop a broad platform technology using oligonucleotides
About this update from Fortress Biotech, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Oncogenuity, Inc., a Fortress partner company, enters into an agreement with Columbia University to develop a broad platform technology using oligonucleotides\n Initial target is KRAS-driven cancers, often considered “un-druggable” Platform being explored as a treatment for coronaviruses, including COVID-19 NEW YORK, May 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO) (“Fortress”), an innovative biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Oncogenuity, Inc. (“Oncogenuity”), a new Fortress partner company, has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Columbia University to develop novel oligonucleotides for the treatment of genetically driven cancers. The proprietary platform produces oligomers, now known as “ONCOlogues,” that are capable of binding gene sequences 1,000 times more effectively than complementary native DNA. The technology comes from the labs of Gary Schwartz, M.D., Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology, and Jeffrey Rothman, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine. ONCOlogues are sensitive to a single base pair mismatch, resistant to degradation and use a proprietary delivery sequence to enter cells. ONCOlogues’ selectivity enables Oncogenuity to target genetically driven cancers caused by mutations without impacting wild-type (“WT”) DNA sequences, potentially limiting off-target toxicity. In addition, this allows ONCOlogues to target mutations that have historically been considered “un-druggable.” Oncogenuity has established proof-of-concept in a pre-clinical setting for various cancer types. The company’s most advanced program is targeting the KRAS mutation G12D, which was previously considered un-druggable and plays a significant role in various cancer types with substantial unmet need, including pancreatic and colorectal. Given the platform’s ability to target any mutation, Oncogenuity will continue to evaluate other mutations simultaneously. The company anticipates additional data publications in the coming 12 months. Additionally, Oncogenuity is exploring the platform’s potential to treat coronaviruses. Coronaviruses have single-stranded RNA genomes, making them strong targets for ONCOlogues. The company is studying replacement sequences, which could help combat COVID-19 and provide proof-of-concept as a treatment for coronaviruses. These ongoing experiments would ...