- Lead programme based on a first‑in‑class small‑molecule E6AP ubiquitin ligase inhibition strategy for the treatment of HPV‑positive head and neck cancer
- Programme has demonstrated strong in vitro and in vivo proof of mechanism, and is expected to enter the clinic in 2027
- Progress is complemented with formation of world-class SAB, including leading experts in E3 ligase biology and head and neck cancer
Outrun Therapeutics (“Outrun” or “the Company”), a biotech developing protein stabilising therapeutics identified by its proprietary XL discovery platform, today announces the selection of its lead programme for the treatment of HPV positive head and neck cancer. It also announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board comprising world-class experts in E3 ligase biology and head and neck cancer.
Outrun has selected an E6AP inhibitor strategy as the lead programme from its first-in-class therapeutic pipeline developed through the application of its proprietary XL discovery platform. This platform has been used to profile over 45 diverse E3 ligases across a wide range of indications in oncology, neurology, cardiovascular and auto-immune diseases. The Company expects to announce a development candidate later this year.
E6AP is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the expression of a key tumour suppressor protein in HPV positive cancers, such as head and neck cancer. Inhibiting this enzyme represents a first-in-class strategy to directly stabilise tumour suppressor protein levels, paving the way to a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. HPV positive cancers account for around 4.5% of cancers worldwide, with the global market size expected to exceed $14 billion by 2031.
To help drive the advancement of the programme and the Company’s wider pipeline of first-in-class small molecule E3 ligase inhibitors, Outrun has appointed leading experts Glenn Hanna, Kevin Harrington, Gigi Lozano, Donald Ogilvie, and Martin Scheffner to its SAB. They join Outrun’s Founder, Non-executive Director, and Chair of the SAB, Professor Satpal Virdee.
These international experts bring extensive expertise in E3 ligase biology and head and neck cancer and will provide critical translational insights as Outrun advances its lead programme towards the clinic.
Dr Tony Johnson, Board Chair and Interim CEO of Outrun Therapeutics, said: “Outrun’s mission is to develop protein stabilising therapeutics to treat disease, and the selection of our lead programme, for the treatment of HPV positive head and neck cancer, is an important milestone in our journey. This is a massively underserved patient population, and we are confident that our novel approach to protein stabilisation offers a breakthrough route to bringing meaningful treatments to those in need.”
Professor Satpal Virdee, Founder, Non-executive Director, and Chair of the SAB at Outrun Therapeutics, added: “Attracting such high-profile and experienced figures to our SAB is tremendous validation of the novel nature of our technology, and we are grateful for their commitment. Their expertise will be invaluable as we develop the translational strategy, clinical design, and biomarker validation to support our goal of establishing efficacy and differentiation in the HPV-induced head and neck cancer field, and transition to a clinical stage company.”
