Pipeline
Our programs include innovative peptides, small molecules and antibody drug conjugates in 3 fields of research
Hallmarks of Cancer
Hallmarks targeted by Debiopharm development programs
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Prevention of sustained proliferative signaling
Cancer cells multiply by altering growth-promoting signals and becoming independent of them. We antagonize this process either through hormonal analog therapy or through elimination of cells expressing specific receptors.
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Re-establish growth suppression
Oncogene and tumor suppressor analogs could halt cancer growth despite mechanisms bypassing the natural growth-regulating process.
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Hack non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming
Epigenetic drugs act mainly targeting the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression, including methylation and histone modification. Epigenetic changes are reversible, occurring in both natural and diseased states.
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Boosting natural immune destruction
Immunotherapies are designed to either amplify the body’s natural immune response (activation immunotherapies) or suppress it (suppressive immunotherapies). Usually, the immune system eliminates cancer cells, but some tumors evade the immune response by disabling some components or recruiting immunosuppressive cells.
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Outsmart replicative immortality
Cancer cells can grow exponentially due to their ability to replicate in an unlimited manner without entering senescence or crisis. Through targeted peptide and antibody-based therapy we can trigger programmed cell death.
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Halt tumor-promoting inflammation
Growing tumors generate a state of inflammation that contributes to its development by supplying nutrients and growth factors. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) hinder cell survival and inflammation through modulation of NF-KB and MAPK pathways.
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Combat polymorphic microbiomes
Microbiomes, particularly gut ones, impact health and disease. Dysbiosis can lead to issues like colon cancer, with certain bacteria affecting DNA replication and repair.
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De-activating invasion & metastasis
Inhibiting one of the many proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells could alleviate metastasis of cancer. Cancer cells may alter shape and attachment, favoring invasion and metastasis.
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Hindering vasculature
Anti-angiogenic therapies prevent the tumor from forming new blood vessels for nutrients and waste removal, impairing tumor growth.
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Exploiting cell senescence
Inhibiting one of the pathways determining cellular aging and apoptosis, which can be disabled by some cancers, may help induce cell death through alternative pathways.
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Capitalize on genome instability & synthetic lethality
DNA instability and mutations enable cancer cell growth and dominance. Inhibiting the tumoral response to DNA damage triggers cell death due to excessive DNA breakage.
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Overcome resistance to cell death
Cancer cells avoid cell death by impairing tumor suppressor function and manipulating apoptotic regulators. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) promote cell death through caspase modulation.
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Impeding dysregulated cellular metabolism
Blocking the shift of cancer cells to a low-oxygen state or leveraging the cell’s reliance on glucose are interesting ways to prevent cancer from thriving and spreading.
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Fight phenotypic plasticity
Interventions that block or reverse dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation or differentiation of stem cells can prevent metastases.