Turning Point Therapeutics Inc. (TPTX) Announces New Preclinical Data for Three Drug Candidates

Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPTX), a precision oncology company developing next-generation therapies that target genetic drivers of cancer, today announced new preclinical data supporting the ongoing development of three of its drug candidates, repotrectinib, TPX-0022 and TPX-0131. The findings will be presented this weekend at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting, which is convening virtually through April 14.

For lead drug candidate, repotrectinib, poster presentations will highlight new preclinical combination data with MEK and MEK/Raf inhibitors, as well as repotrectinib’s potency against wildtype and mutant TRKA/B/C as compared to approved TRK inhibitors. The preclinical studies found that repotrectinib combinations with approved MEK inhibitor, trametinib, or investigational MEK/Raf inhibitor, VS-6766, were more effective than single-agent treatment in patient-derived KRAS mutant G12D/V lung and G12D/V/R pancreatic cancer models. Based on the findings and additional preclinical support presented previously, Turning Point anticipates the first cohort of its planned Phase 1/2 TRIDENT-2 study will examine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and any early signals of efficacy of repotrectinib in combination with trametinib in patients with KRAS mutant G12D advanced solid tumors.

“We are encouraged by the new preclinical data our research team has generated in support of our ongoing development of repotrectinib, TPX-0022 and TPX-0131,” said Athena Countouriotis, M.D., president and CEO. “In particular, our preclinical models continue to suggest that the combination of repotrectinib with MEK inhibitors can suppress mutant KRAS signaling to achieve more potent and durable anti-tumor activity. We look forward to studying this further in the first cohort of our planned TRIDENT-2 combination study.

“In addition, preclinical studies show repotrectinib is highly potent against wild type TRK fusions and is less affected by NTRK resistance mutations than approved therapies, with strong potency in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We look forward to sharing additional clinical data from our TRIDENT-1 study of repotrectinib in the second half of the year.”

TPX-0022, MET, SRC, CSF1R InhibitorFor MET/SRC/CSF1R inhibitor TPX-0022, the company will present preclinical data demonstrating potential utility in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In a syngeneic xenograft tumor model, TPX-0022 treatment downregulated immunosuppressive cytokines, increased anti-tumor M1 macrophages, and enriched levels of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. TPX-0022 had single agent in vivo efficacy and enhanced the efficacy of an anti-PD-1 inhibitor. With the new data, Turning Point is evaluating a potential additional combination study of TPX-0022 and an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. In the second half of 2021, the company plans to provide a clinical data update from the Phase 1 dose finding portion of its ongoing SHIELD-1 study and initiate its planned Phase 1b/2 SHIELD-2 clinical study of TPX-0022 in combination with an EGFR targeted therapy.

TPX-0131, ALK InhibitorFor its ALK-inhibitor, TPX-0131, Turning Point will present preclinical data showing its potential to cross the blood-brain barrier and its potency against wild type ALK and a broad spectrum of acquired ALK resistance mutations, including the G1202R solvent front mutation, L1196M gatekeeper mutation, and the G1202R/L1196M and /L1198F compound mutations. Turning Point plans to initiate a Phase 1/2 study in patients with ALK-positive TKI-pretreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the second quarter of 2021.

AACR plans to make poster presentations available via its website on Saturday, April 10. The four posters to be presented are:

Title: Repotrectinib increases effectiveness of MEK inhibitors in KRAS mutant cancer models Abstract Number: 1104

Title: Molecular characteristics of repotrectinib that enable potent inhibition of TRK fusion proteins and broad mutant selectivity Abstract Number: 1119

Title: TPX-0022, a potent MET/SRC/CSF1R inhibitor that modulates the tumor immune microenvironment in preclinical models Abstract Number: 1444

Title: TPX-0131, a potent inhibitor of wild type ALK and a broad spectrum of both single and compound ALK resistance mutations Abstract Number: 1469

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