Delphia raises $67M to develop new cancer drug

The field of cancer research continually advances as scientists strive to outmaneuver the ways in which tumors resist drug treatments. Over the past ten years, significant progress has been made with the advent of immunotherapies, targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and radiopharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, these treatments are not foolproof, leaving opportunities for emerging companies to explore new methodologies. One such company, Delphia Therapeutics, launched recently with an impressive $67 million in funding.

Kevin Marks, Delphia's co-founder and CEO, emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to achieve different outcomes for patients. Delphia aims to introduce a novel method of targeted treatment termed "activation lethality." This technique is related to synthetic lethality, a concept that has garnered attention from various pharmaceutical companies in recent years.

Synthetic lethality involves drugs that disrupt genes crucial for the survival of cancer cells. A prominent example of this approach is the use of PARP inhibitors, such as AstraZeneca and Merck & Co.'s Lynparza, which hinder PARP enzymes and block a DNA repair mechanism used by certain tumors. Similarly, most targeted therapies work by counteracting genetic mutations that promote tumor growth.

In contrast, activation lethality intends to selectively overactivate specific cancer-related cell signaling pathways to such an extent that the tumor cells are unable to survive. Marks compares this method to pressing the accelerator of an already speeding car until the engine overheats and the vehicle halts entirely.

This approach stems from research led by Bill Sellers, head of the cancer program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Delphia believes that activation lethality offers a groundbreaking strategy to overcome drug resistance, presenting a new challenge for cancers to adapt to and escape from. Marks, who previously directed cancer drug discovery at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, alongside co-founder Mike Dillon, suggests that this innovative approach could significantly impact cancer therapy.

While Delphia has not yet disclosed specific targets, Marks indicates that the recent funding will enable the company to advance to the brink of its initial clinical trials. The company's name, Delphia, is inspired by Greek history. The temple of Apollo in the city of Delphi bore the inscription "nothing in excess," a principle that Delphia aims to apply to cancer treatment.

The Series A funding round for Delphia was led by GV, Nextech Invest, Polaris Innovation Fund, and Alexandria Venture Investments. Marks, who has been an entrepreneur-in-residence at GV since 2022, notes that the company has navigated the challenging biotech financing landscape smoothly. Investors have recognized the company’s consistent progress and the burgeoning interest in this new area of research.

David Schenkein, the former CEO of Agios Pharmaceuticals and current co-lead of GV's life science investment team, expressed strong support for Delphia’s approach. He described the activation lethality platform as one of the most innovative strategies in cancer drug development, providing a solid foundation for building a distinctive oncology company.

In summary, Delphia Therapeutics is poised to make significant strides in the field of cancer treatment with its unique activation lethality method. The company’s innovative approach and substantial financial backing position it well to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing battle against cancer.