I’m thrilled to sit down with Ivan Kairatov, a renowned biopharma expert with extensive experience in research and development, as well as a keen understanding of technological innovation in the industry. Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of precision oncology and drug discovery, exploring groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment, the transformative power of AI-driven platforms, and the impact of significant financial backing on pushing innovative therapies toward clinical application. Our conversation touches on the challenges of treating aggressive cancers like acute myeloid leukemia, the limitations of existing therapies, and the promising future of next-generation solutions.
Can you share the vision behind starting a company focused on precision oncology, and how your expertise has shaped its mission?
Thank you for having me. The vision for a company in precision oncology often stems from a deep desire to address unmet medical needs with cutting-edge science. It’s about leveraging our understanding of biology and technology to create therapies that are more targeted and effective. My background in biopharma R&D has been instrumental in shaping a mission to not just treat cancer, but to transform patient outcomes by focusing on the molecular intricacies of diseases like acute myeloid leukemia. It’s about building a future where treatments are tailored to the individual, minimizing resistance and maximizing impact.
How does it feel to secure significant funding for advancing innovative cancer treatments, and what does this say about investor confidence in this field?
Securing substantial funding, like an $80 million Series B round, is incredibly validating. It’s a testament to the hard work of the team and the potential impact of the research. More importantly, it reflects a growing confidence among investors in the promise of precision oncology. They see the value in supporting therapies that can overcome current limitations and deliver real results for patients. It’s not just financial backing—it’s a shared belief in the mission to change lives through innovation.
Can you explain how such funding will accelerate the development of new therapies, particularly for challenging cancers?
Absolutely. Funding on this scale allows us to fast-track critical stages of drug development. For instance, it supports the transition of a promising next-generation menin inhibitor into clinical development. This means scaling up manufacturing, conducting essential preclinical studies, and preparing for early-phase clinical trials. The goal is to move swiftly but carefully, ensuring we can test these therapies in patients as soon as possible—potentially starting clinical development within the next year.
What makes your approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stand out compared to existing therapies?
AML is an aggressive cancer, and current treatments often fall short due to resistance and safety issues. Our approach with a next-generation menin inhibitor is designed to tackle these challenges head-on. Unlike first-generation inhibitors that lose effectiveness due to resistance mutations in the menin protein, our candidates are engineered to maintain potency against all known clinical mutations. This could mean more durable responses for patients, reducing the risk of relapse and progression.
Why do current treatments for AML struggle to deliver lasting results for many patients?
Current treatments for AML, including some first-generation menin inhibitors, face significant hurdles. Resistance mutations in the menin protein can emerge quickly, rendering therapies ineffective and leading to disease progression. Additionally, safety concerns like QTc prolongation—a heart rhythm issue—and potential drug-drug interactions complicate treatment. Some therapies also require high doses, which can exacerbate side effects and limit their usability. These gaps highlight the urgent need for safer, more effective options.
Can you walk us through how an AI-driven drug discovery platform enhances the process of finding better treatments?
Our AI-driven platform is a game-changer in drug discovery. It uses a proprietary protein-ligand co-folding approach to predict how molecules will interact with target proteins, allowing us to identify drug candidates with higher precision. AI accelerates this process by sifting through vast datasets and simulating interactions much faster than traditional methods. This not only speeds up the discovery phase but also improves the likelihood of finding compounds that are both potent and safe, ultimately getting better therapies to patients sooner.
What have been some of the most encouraging findings from preclinical studies of your development candidate for AML?
In preclinical models, we’ve seen robust tumor regression with our development candidate, which is incredibly promising. The molecule retains its potency even against resistance mutations, which is a major hurdle with existing therapies. Additionally, it shows potential to be effective at low doses in humans without increasing risks like QTc prolongation or causing drug-drug interactions. These findings give us strong confidence as we move toward clinical trials.
What is your forecast for the future of precision oncology and AI in transforming cancer treatment?
I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of precision oncology. With advancements in AI and platforms like ours, we’re entering an era where drug discovery is faster, more precise, and more personalized. I believe we’ll see a wave of therapies in the next decade that not only target specific cancers but also adapt to individual patient profiles, minimizing resistance and side effects. AI will continue to play a pivotal role, acting as a catalyst to uncover solutions we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. The potential to transform cancer care is immense, and we’re just at the beginning.
