Teon Therapeutics is a clinical stage company developing a portfolio of highly selective small molecules that affect metabolic signaling pathways and pioneering the development of G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) immuno-oncology therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Our pipeline consists of first- and best-in-class candidates with targets affecting both immune and cancer cells with our lead candidate being evaluated in clinical trials.
Cancer immunotherapies have demonstrated clinical efficacy in different types of cancer. However, many tumors show significant resistance to checkpoint blockade presumably due to insufficient rectification of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and the limited reinvigoration of antitumor immunity.
Teon takes a unique approach to improve the TME and reinvigorate anticancer immunity:
Targeting key GPCRs and enzymes in the TME that are upregulated on immune cells and cancer cells
Developing a synergistic pipeline of first-in-class and best-in-class compounds across the TME metabolic signaling pathways
Teon can antagonize metabolic pathways that suppress antitumor immunity and promote cancer cell proliferation
The immunosuppressive state of the TME is regulated by the metabolic activity of cancer cells. Rapidly proliferating cancer cells require high levels of energy and therefore metabolic reprogramming has emerged as a key feature for cancer survival under hypoxia, stress and limited nutrient availability. Metabolic reprogramming generates large amount of metabolites that not only alter the TME, adversely affect the survival and function of immune cells but also directly stimulate cancer cell proliferation. The common feature of this metabolic reprogramming is that cancer cells switch their glucose metabolism toward “aerobic glycolysis” (Warburg effect), thus decreasing glucose availability and increasing lactic acid in the TME. The hypoxic, glucose-deprived and lactic acid-enriched TME impairs T cell function and thus antitumor immune response. Metabolic stress leads to the release of the danger signal molecule ATP into the TME. ATP is rapidly converted to adenosine, which activates adenosine receptors (A2A and A2B) on immune cells and cancer cells and consequently inhibits immune function and promotes cancer cell survival. Aberrant lipogenesis is another key feature of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. While lipids provide additional energy required by proliferating tumor cells, their metabolites, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), can dampen the function of immune cells through activation of EP4 receptors.
Pipeline
Candidate | Target | Best or 1st‑in‑Class | Indications | Discovery | Pre-clinical | IND | Phase 1/2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TT-702 | A2B Receptor Antagonist | Solid Tumors | |||||
TT-816 | UDT1 Small Molecule Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor | Solid Tumors | |||||
TT-038 | EP4 Receptor Antagonist | TBA | |||||
TT-228 | A2A Receptor Antagonist | TBA | |||||
TT-373 | UDT2 Metabolic Transport Inhibitor | TBA |
Clinical Trials
Our first clinical program is evaluating our first-in-class, oral adenosine A2B receptor antagonist, TT-702, in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with a range of difficult-to-treat cancers.
Serge Messerlian
Alan Colowick, MD, MPH
Lina Yao, MD, PhD
Robert Sikorski, MD, PhD
Benson Fong
Elfatih Elzein, PhD
Peter Fan, PhD
Jim Liu, PhD
Sami Karaborni, PhD
Steve Smith
Veronique Lauriault, PhD, DABT
Serge Messerlian
Feng Deng
Lou Lange, MD, PhD
Lina Yao, MD, PhD
Alan Colowick, MD, MPH
Glen Giovannetti
Dave Chenn
Eric Small, MD
David Dornan, PhD
Brent Blackburn, PhD
Ivan Diamond, MD, PhD
Senior Project Manager at Teon Therapeutics, Redwood City, CA
Teon Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by developing a focused portfolio of small molecules targeting immunosuppressive and cancer-promoting signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Project Manager to partner with project leads to create project plan, coordinate critical activities, track project progress and timeline. This role is highly cross-functional and broadly engaged across the organization. The Senior Project Manager will drive projects through key development milestones, decision points and will be responsible for keeping the projects on schedule and within budget.
Teon Therapeutics Names Serge Messerlian as CEO and Announces First Patient Dosed on TT-702
Teon Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting metabolic signaling pathways and pioneering the development of G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) immuno-oncology therapies in difficult-to-treat cancers, today announced the appointment of Serge Messerlian as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors. The company also announced the first patient dosed in Phase 1/2 clinical trial of lead asset, TT-702.
Teon Therapeutics to Present Preclinical Proof of Concept Data at American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference
Teon Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing small molecules that inhibit immunosuppressive and cancer-promoting signaling pathways, today announced the forthcoming oral presentation of preclinical data on selective adenosine A2B receptor antagonist TT-702, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, held virtually from April 10-15, 2021.
Cancer Research UK and Teon Therapeutics Advance New First-In-Class Cancer Drug Into Clinical Trial
Cancer Research UK and Teon Therapeutics, Inc. (Teon) today (Monday 1 March) announce that they have signed a collaboration agreement to progress the early phase clinical development of Teon’s first-in-class small molecule adenosine A2B receptor antagonist, TT-702.