Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Announces Study Results for Altiratinib Demonstrating Inhibition of Tumor Growth and Invasiveness in Glioblastoma

Preclinical data profiling unique anti-cancer attributes of altiratinib, a balanced, spectrum-selective inhibitor of MET, TRK, TIE2, and VEGFR2 kinases, published in Neuro Oncology

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing advanced kinase inhibitor treatments targeting the tumor cell and the tumor microenvironment, announced today the publication of preclinical study results describing the inhibition of tumor growth and invasiveness in bevacizumab-resistant glioblastoma mouse models with altiratinib, its balanced, spectrum-selective inhibitor of MET, TIE2 and VEGFR2 kinases. The article, which will appear in the March 2016 issue of Neuro-Oncology, was pre-published on-line on March 9, 2016. Altiratinib is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT02228811).

In the article, “Novel MET/TIE2/VEGFR2 inhibitor altiratinib inhibits tumor growth and invasiveness in bevacizumab-resistant glioblastoma mouse models,” Deciphera and its collaborators at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, describe how altiratinib’s balanced inhibition of the three key kinases, MET, TIE2, and VEGFR2 inhibited cell viability in several glioblastoma stem cell lines and reduced tumor volume and invasiveness in multiple xenograft mouse models when combined with bevacizumab, compared to bevacizumab alone. The combination of altiratinib and bevacizumab also demonstrated prolonged survival as compared to either agent alone.

“These data describing the activity of altiratinib in bevacizumab-resistant glioblastoma mouse models, including inhibition of tumor growth and invasiveness as well as prolonged survival, demonstrates the unique profile of altiratinib, which was designed using our Switch Control Inhibitor platform, to provide balanced, spectrum-selective inhibition of MET, TIE2, VEFR2 as well as TRK kinases,” said Daniel L. Flynn, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward to further evaluating the potential anti-tumor activity of altiratinib, both alone and in combination with other agents, in our ongoing and future clinical studies.”

About Deciphera Pharmaceuticals
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals seeks to improve treatment for patients with cancer by designing kinase inhibitor therapies that target the hallmarks of cancer biology. We specifically design our small molecule compounds to simultaneously block multiple cancer signaling mechanisms in the tumor cell and the tumor microenvironment to prevent growth and spread. Deciphera’s unique approach represents an important advance over current therapies in the durability of kinase inhibition and resiliency to genetic mutations to provide greater benefit across a range of cancers. Deciphera’s business strategy is to advance its drug candidates for genetically defined cancers and cancers that target the tumor microenvironment through both proprietary and partnered programs.

Contacts:
Michael D. Taylor, Ph.D., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals
mtaylor@deciphera.com
781-209-6411

Media:
Gina Nugent, The Yates Network
gina@theyatesnetwork.com
617-460-3579