S-CAM | Spirocyclic CAMs as novel and ultrapotent anti-HBV drugs (S-CAM)

Summary
This PoC project aims to advance the development of next-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis B virus (HBV), namely capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) with a novel spirocyclic scaffold chemotype described in our proprietary patent (WO2021/160617). The identification of next-generation spirocyclic CAMs (S-CAMs) during the funding period of ERC CoG 725038 (FATE) represents a potentially important step towards the cure of chronic HBV infection, one of the major uncontrolled medical challenges of our time with a huge economic and social burden worldwide.
The novel spirocyclic scaffold represents a major advantage for the progression towards the clinic, thanks to its greatly improved synthetic process and excellent stability in mouse and human hepatocytes. Fewer synthetic steps and a reduced need for costly and hard-to-find intermediates provide a price-competitive production process compared to any other CAM, such as our previous generation non-spirocyclic series (patent WO2020/234483) sold to a US-based biotech company. In addition, our novel S-CAMs have an effective dose in the lower pM range, making these new molecules ultrapotent.
In this project we will confirm the technical and commercial viability of the ultrapotent novel S-CAMs that are called to out-compete previous generation non-spirocyclic series still in preclinical and first clinical phases as follows: 1) evaluate the pharmacological properties of the best candidates in normal inbred mice and assess their safety, efficacy and immunostimulatory potential in HBV-replicating transgenic mice; 2) perform a comparative analysis of the main competing CAM solutions; 3) establish the IP strategy and stakeholder mapping; 4) prepare a business plan and commercialization roadmap for in-licensing to a spin-off and mid-term out-licensing to potential strategic partners to bring the best ultrapotent S-CAMs candidates to the market.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101138728
Start date: 01-10-2023
End date: 31-03-2025
Total budget - Public funding: - 150 000,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

This PoC project aims to advance the development of next-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis B virus (HBV), namely capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) with a novel spirocyclic scaffold chemotype described in our proprietary patent (WO2021/160617). The identification of next-generation spirocyclic CAMs (S-CAMs) during the funding period of ERC CoG 725038 (FATE) represents a potentially important step towards the cure of chronic HBV infection, one of the major uncontrolled medical challenges of our time with a huge economic and social burden worldwide.
The novel spirocyclic scaffold represents a major advantage for the progression towards the clinic, thanks to its greatly improved synthetic process and excellent stability in mouse and human hepatocytes. Fewer synthetic steps and a reduced need for costly and hard-to-find intermediates provide a price-competitive production process compared to any other CAM, such as our previous generation non-spirocyclic series (patent WO2020/234483) sold to a US-based biotech company. In addition, our novel S-CAMs have an effective dose in the lower pM range, making these new molecules ultrapotent.
In this project we will confirm the technical and commercial viability of the ultrapotent novel S-CAMs that are called to out-compete previous generation non-spirocyclic series still in preclinical and first clinical phases as follows: 1) evaluate the pharmacological properties of the best candidates in normal inbred mice and assess their safety, efficacy and immunostimulatory potential in HBV-replicating transgenic mice; 2) perform a comparative analysis of the main competing CAM solutions; 3) establish the IP strategy and stakeholder mapping; 4) prepare a business plan and commercialization roadmap for in-licensing to a spin-off and mid-term out-licensing to potential strategic partners to bring the best ultrapotent S-CAMs candidates to the market.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2023-POC

Update Date

12-03-2024
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Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2023-POC ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2023-POC ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS