InterAx Biotech: Novel artificial intelligence platform to design drugs for multiple indications

InterAx metabolic programs follow the same development path as the proprietary immune oncology program, where InterAx technology discovered a small molecule for a peptide receptor with novel and previously unexploited cellular mechanism to treat aggressive types of cancer. In brief, the lead compound in the IAX25-Series reverses one of the key mechanisms that tumors exploit to evade the immune system by restoring the intra-tumoral levels of cytokines. This triggers a statistically significant recruitment of a broad spectrum of cancer killing cells that correlates with tumor regression in preclinical studies. This mode of action is different but complementary to immunotherapy (anti PD-1s), allowing a broad range of cancer killing immune cells to penetrate and treat cold tumors. This opens the door to improve and expand the use of immunotherapies and other anti-cancer therapies where lack of tumor penetration is limiting efficacy. The elevation of cytokines provides an ideal biomarker and together with the apparent lack of direct cytotoxicity, this could facilitate a fast-track breakthrough regulatory designation.

Dr. Prior noted “InterAx is at the cutting edge of exploiting computational rational design of small oral molecules cutting years from the development timelines compared to high throughput drug screening approaches. While our mission is to provide safer and more efficacious drugs to patients, the commercial opportunity for replacing injectable peptides with oral drugs to treat diabetes and obesity is significant coupled with generation of new intellectual property.”

Dr. Aurélien added “We are obviously very excited regarding the significant potential of our lead programs. In oncology our mission is to greatly expand the benefits of immunotherapy in general without adding further side effects as most treatments involve combination therapy, and this is an important consideration. The uniqueness of the InterAx technology is the ability to identify novel cellular mode of action which allows to create a diversified pipeline of superior treatments, also supported by a prestigious grant from the EU commission.”

The InterAx approach, together with the latest results on the immune oncology program, will be presented at the Annual GPCRs-Targeted Drug Discovery Summit on March 5, 2024, in Boston.