Rutherrin(R) Repurposes Non-Cancer Drugs for Oncology

Theralase® Technologies Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Toronto, has announced a significant breakthrough in its preclinical research. The company's lead drug formulation, Rutherrin®, has demonstrated the ability to repurpose non-cancer drugs for cancer therapy, opening new avenues in the fight against cancer.

Drug repurposing involves finding new therapeutic uses for existing clinically approved drugs. This strategy gained prominence when the FDA authorized repurposed drugs for treating COVID-19. Approximately 30 to 40% of new drugs and biologics approved by the FDA are repurposed products. The advantages of drug repurposing include reduced research and development costs, shorter timelines, and the ability to reuse drugs that have already been proven safe in humans.

Theralase® has shown that Rutherrin® can significantly enhance the efficacy of various drugs in destroying cancer cells. This capability is particularly valuable as it leverages the safety profiles of existing drugs to expedite their application in cancer treatment. The company has focused on several drugs for repurposing:

1. Withaferin A: Originally an anti-inflammatory drug, Withaferin A is being explored for its potential to improve immune checkpoint blockers in cancer treatments.
2. Amiodarone: Known for treating cardiac dysrhythmias, this anti-arrhythmic medication is being investigated as a potential cancer treatment.
3. Metformin: Widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes, Metformin is being studied for its anti-cancer properties.

In the preclinical studies, cancer cells treated with 3 µM Rutherrin® followed by the addition of these drugs showed a significant increase in cancer cell death, even without light or radiation activation. This suggests that Rutherrin® can be combined with these drugs to enhance their cancer-fighting capabilities.

Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer of Theralase®, emphasized the importance of alternative approaches in cancer drug development due to the high costs, lengthy timelines, and high failure rates associated with traditional methods. According to Dr. Mandel, Rutherrin® acts as a "key" to unlock the potential of approved non-cancer drugs for enhanced anti-cancer activity. He highlighted that many diseases share common molecular pathways, making it feasible to repurpose drugs for different indications.

Theralase®'s research indicates that numerous existing non-cancer drugs can be repurposed for cancer treatment, beyond those initially analyzed. The findings suggest that Rutherrin® can significantly improve these drugs' efficacy in targeting and killing cancer cells. This approach offers a cost-effective and time-efficient opportunity to advance therapeutic strategies into clinical studies and commercialization.

Roger DuMoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase®, pointed out that the motivation for repurposing drugs stems from the prohibitive costs and lengthy processes involved in bringing new drugs to market. He cited the enormous financial and time investments required to achieve FDA approval for new drugs, with only a small percentage of drug candidates successfully navigating the process. Drug repurposing provides a de-risked opportunity to quickly advance existing drugs into cancer treatment, potentially bypassing many hurdles associated with new drug development.

Theralase® Technologies Inc. is committed to developing light and/or radiation-activated small molecule compounds and their formulations to effectively and safely destroy various cancers, bacteria, and viruses. The company's work with Rutherrin® exemplifies its innovative approach to addressing some of the most challenging health issues of our time.

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