Hoth and Aronnax Collaborate on HT-KIT Cancer Therapy

Hoth Therapeutics has taken a significant step forward in the development of its HT-KIT cancer treatment by signing a master services agreement with Aronnax. HT-KIT is a groundbreaking antisense oligonucleotide targeting the proto-oncogene cKIT, which has shown great promise in reducing KIT expression and effectively killing human mast cells in both cancerous and noncancerous forms.

Research conducted at NC State University in the United States has demonstrated the effectiveness of a single dose of HT-KIT, which can last for approximately two weeks. Notably, reduced KIT expression was observed for up to seven days following the administration of the dose. The therapeutic has also shown remarkable results in diminishing KIT expression using gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells and inducing cell death within 48 to 72 hours. Furthermore, HT-KIT has proven effective in lowering the expression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells over a 72-hour period.

HT-KIT is being developed to treat conditions such as mast cell-derived cancers and anaphylaxis. The therapeutic has received orphan drug designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), underscoring its potential to address unmet medical needs in these areas.

Under the new agreement, Aronnax will oversee the activities of ITR Laboratories, the third-party provider responsible for conducting studies involving intravenous injections of varying doses. These studies are designed to determine the maximum dosage and range-finding elements critical for the proposed clinical trials of HT-KIT. The research will involve a 48-hour interval between each dose group, allowing for careful monitoring and analysis.

This strategic partnership between Hoth Therapeutics, Aronnax, and ITR Laboratories aims to deliver essential metrics that will be vital for formulating clinical trial proposals. According to Hoth Therapeutics CEO Robb Knie, the company is making rapid progress in transitioning HT-KIT from laboratory research to patient treatment. The detailed analysis from these studies will help finalize the protocols for upcoming Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies.

Robb Knie expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to further engage Aronnax and ITR Laboratories on these key studies given their reputation for IND-enabling studies.”

In addition to its work on HT-KIT, Hoth Therapeutics has partnered with the University of Cincinnati Research Institute to conduct antimicrobial characterization studies for HT-006, an antibiotic. This agreement, which began in March 2021, is aimed at understanding the antimicrobial properties of HT-006, thus broadening Hoth's research and development portfolio.

Overall, Hoth Therapeutics' commitment to advancing innovative treatments like HT-KIT signifies a promising future for patients suffering from mast cell-derived cancers and other related conditions. The collaborative efforts with Aronnax and ITR Laboratories are expected to yield valuable insights that will pave the way for successful clinical trials and eventual patient treatments.