Tango Therapeutics Begins Phase 1/2 Study with USP1 Inhibitor TNG348

Swedish pharmaceutical company Medivir has announced a significant milestone in its cancer research program. Its partner, Tango Therapeutics, has administered the first dose of TNG348 to a patient in a phase 1/2 clinical trial. TNG348 is a groundbreaking USP1 (ubiquitin-specific protease 1) inhibitor, designed to target BRCA1/2-mutant and other homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)+ cancers, which are prevalent in various types of cancer including ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic.

Tango Therapeutics, which obtained the preclinical USP1 program from Medivir in 2020, is advancing TNG348 with the support of FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug application, granted in September 2023. The clinical study aims to assess the efficacy of TNG348 as a standalone treatment and in tandem with olaparib, a PARP-inhibitor. Encouraging preclinical results have indicated a synergistic relationship between TNG348 and PARP inhibitors, even in models that have developed resistance to PARP inhibitors.

Jens Lindberg, CEO of Medivir, expressed optimism regarding the preclinical data and the initiation of clinical trials. He praised Tango's efforts in advancing TNG348 to the clinical stage and stated that Medivir is eagerly monitoring the drug's progress. As per the licensing agreement, Medivir stands to receive development and commercial milestone payments, along with royalties on future sales, with the dosing of the first patient marking a significant milestone.

Medivir is dedicated to developing innovative cancer treatments, focusing on areas with significant unmet medical needs. The company's pipeline includes fostroxacitabine bralpamide (fostrox), a pro-drug targeting liver cancer cells with minimized side effects. Medivir's business model emphasizes collaborations and partnerships, with drug development carried out either independently or in collaboration. The company's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm's Small Cap list.

This development underscores the ongoing commitment to fighting cancer through innovative drug development, offering hope to patients with HRD+ cancers and showcasing the potential of targeted therapies in overcoming treatment resistance.