Project Spotlight: ProteinQure (Ontario)
Project: AI-driven optimization of a companion radiodiagnostic for a novel breast cancer therapeutic.
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant treatment challenges, characterized by a 12% five-year survival rate, limited targeted therapy options, and invasive tests for treatment planning. Sortilin (SORT1), a cell surface and internalizing receptor overexpressed in various cancers, shows promise as a target for delivering high-potency, cytotoxic payloads or isotopes, aimed at maximizing toxicity towards cancer cells whilst minimizing it towards normal cells.
ProteinQure has a development candidate (PQ-203) for TNBC, currently in Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies. Our modular peptide-drug conjugate comprises a cytotoxic payload conjugated to a peptide targeting SORT1. Building on this, ProteinQure has initiated the development of a companion radiodiagnostic as part of the CMIEDF. Our project will optimize the peptide that could form the basis for a radiodiagnostic (and eventually a radiotherapeutic).