Request Demo
Avacta and Tempus Partner to Enhance AI-Driven Cancer Drug Development
1 November 2024
On October 21, 2024, Avacta Therapeutics (AIM: AVCT) announced the start of a strategic collaboration with Tempus AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: TEM). Avacta Therapeutics is a life sciences company focusing on developing advanced peptide drug conjugates (PDC) that target potent anti-tumor agents directly to tumors. Tempus AI is a technology firm known for its adoption of artificial intelligence to enhance precision medicine and patient care.
This partnership aims to provide Avacta with access to Tempus' extensive multimodal datasets. These datasets include primary tumor samples and related clinical data from over 200,000 patients, covering a wide array of cancer types. By utilizing these datasets, the collaboration seeks to deeply understand the tumor microenvironment and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) activity, which are essential to Avacta's pre|CISION® technology.
Recently, Avacta has broadened its pre|CISION® platform by launching two new preclinical programs: AVA6103 and AVA7100. AVA6103 is a novel PDC that incorporates exatecan, a strong topoisomerase I inhibitor, to deliver its anti-tumor effects precisely to the tumor, minimizing harm to healthy tissues. AVA7100 is an Affimer® drug conjugate intended for cancers with varying levels of FAP expression, including those with low FAP. These programs demonstrate the adaptability of the pre|CISION® platform and its potential to address a diverse range of cancer conditions.
Avacta intends to use the insights from this collaboration to further extend the reach of its pre|CISION® platform by identifying the full range of patient populations for its clinical programs. Tempus' experts in analytical support and computational biology will work alongside the Avacta team to analyze the data.
Dr. Christina Coughlin, CEO of Avacta, highlighted the benefits of the collaboration, stating, “Our pipeline of pre|CISION® oncology programs will benefit significantly from a comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment, FAP biology, and both high- and low-FAP expression across solid tumor settings. Tempus AI’s real-world database and leading AI capabilities will enable us to better identify the specific patient groups most likely to respond to our pre|CISION® therapies, facilitating faster and smarter clinical development with the highest chance of success.”
Dr. Kate Sasser, Chief Scientific Officer at Tempus AI, added, “A significant application of AI in drug development is using real-world data to gain a deeper understanding of patient populations that could benefit from a particular mechanism of action. Tempus was founded to create one of the world’s largest libraries of multimodal data and an operating system to make those data accessible and useful. This collaboration with Avacta exemplifies our vision, and we are excited to support Avacta in their mission to bring transformative therapies to patients in need.”
The pre|CISION® platform involves an anti-cancer payload linked to a proprietary peptide that is highly specific to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is upregulated in most solid tumors compared to healthy tissues. The platform uses this tumor-specific protease to cleave pre|CISION® peptide drug conjugates and pre|CISION® antibody/Affimer® drug conjugates within the tumor microenvironment. This releases the active payload in the tumor, reducing systemic exposure and toxicity, and allowing for optimized dosing to achieve the best patient outcomes.
The lead pre|CISION® program, AVA6000, is a peptide drug conjugate form of doxorubicin currently in Phase 1 studies. It has demonstrated improved safety and tolerability in clinical trials compared to standard doxorubicin, along with preliminary signs of clinical activity in multiple patients.
Avacta Group, based in the UK, is dedicated to enhancing healthcare outcomes through targeted cancer treatments and diagnostics. Its oncology division, Avacta Therapeutics, employs the pre|CISION® platform to develop innovative, highly targeted cancer drugs. Avacta Diagnostics aims to support healthcare professionals and increase access to diagnostics.
This partnership aims to provide Avacta with access to Tempus' extensive multimodal datasets. These datasets include primary tumor samples and related clinical data from over 200,000 patients, covering a wide array of cancer types. By utilizing these datasets, the collaboration seeks to deeply understand the tumor microenvironment and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) activity, which are essential to Avacta's pre|CISION® technology.
Recently, Avacta has broadened its pre|CISION® platform by launching two new preclinical programs: AVA6103 and AVA7100. AVA6103 is a novel PDC that incorporates exatecan, a strong topoisomerase I inhibitor, to deliver its anti-tumor effects precisely to the tumor, minimizing harm to healthy tissues. AVA7100 is an Affimer® drug conjugate intended for cancers with varying levels of FAP expression, including those with low FAP. These programs demonstrate the adaptability of the pre|CISION® platform and its potential to address a diverse range of cancer conditions.
Avacta intends to use the insights from this collaboration to further extend the reach of its pre|CISION® platform by identifying the full range of patient populations for its clinical programs. Tempus' experts in analytical support and computational biology will work alongside the Avacta team to analyze the data.
Dr. Christina Coughlin, CEO of Avacta, highlighted the benefits of the collaboration, stating, “Our pipeline of pre|CISION® oncology programs will benefit significantly from a comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment, FAP biology, and both high- and low-FAP expression across solid tumor settings. Tempus AI’s real-world database and leading AI capabilities will enable us to better identify the specific patient groups most likely to respond to our pre|CISION® therapies, facilitating faster and smarter clinical development with the highest chance of success.”
Dr. Kate Sasser, Chief Scientific Officer at Tempus AI, added, “A significant application of AI in drug development is using real-world data to gain a deeper understanding of patient populations that could benefit from a particular mechanism of action. Tempus was founded to create one of the world’s largest libraries of multimodal data and an operating system to make those data accessible and useful. This collaboration with Avacta exemplifies our vision, and we are excited to support Avacta in their mission to bring transformative therapies to patients in need.”
The pre|CISION® platform involves an anti-cancer payload linked to a proprietary peptide that is highly specific to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is upregulated in most solid tumors compared to healthy tissues. The platform uses this tumor-specific protease to cleave pre|CISION® peptide drug conjugates and pre|CISION® antibody/Affimer® drug conjugates within the tumor microenvironment. This releases the active payload in the tumor, reducing systemic exposure and toxicity, and allowing for optimized dosing to achieve the best patient outcomes.
The lead pre|CISION® program, AVA6000, is a peptide drug conjugate form of doxorubicin currently in Phase 1 studies. It has demonstrated improved safety and tolerability in clinical trials compared to standard doxorubicin, along with preliminary signs of clinical activity in multiple patients.
Avacta Group, based in the UK, is dedicated to enhancing healthcare outcomes through targeted cancer treatments and diagnostics. Its oncology division, Avacta Therapeutics, employs the pre|CISION® platform to develop innovative, highly targeted cancer drugs. Avacta Diagnostics aims to support healthcare professionals and increase access to diagnostics.
How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?
In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!
AI Agents Built for Biopharma Breakthroughs
Accelerate discovery. Empower decisions. Transform outcomes.
Get started for free today!
Accelerate Strategic R&D decision making with Synapse, PatSnap’s AI-powered Connected Innovation Intelligence Platform Built for Life Sciences Professionals.
Start your data trial now!
Synapse data is also accessible to external entities via APIs or data packages. Empower better decisions with the latest in pharmaceutical intelligence.