Aprea Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnological company developing novel anticancer therapies targeting p53 tumor suppressor protein, today announced the closing of the €50 million Series C funding round led by Redmile Group, with the participation of new investors Rock Springs Capital and existing investors 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, HealthCap, Sectoral Asset Management and Karolins. A representative of the Redmile Group will also be appointed as Director of the Board of Directors of Aprea Therapeutics
“We are thrilled to close this funding, launch a Phase III clinical study on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with our lead compound, APR-246, and drive the company towards its next value inflection point,” said Christian S. Schade, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aprea “The addition of Redmile and Rock Springs to our investor group broadens the U.S. investor base and we believe that it will position the company for future strategic opportunities. We are committed to bringing this important new treatment to cancer patients with limited therapeutic options. “That’s right.
The funding will be used to advance the clinical development of APR-246, a first-in-class anticancer agent that reactivates the mutated p53 tumor suppressor protein. Aprea is planning to begin a Phase 3 clinical trial in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and is nearing completion of a Phase Ib/II clinical trial in p53 mutated high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and oligoblastic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with APR-246 and azacitidine. Phase II of the study is ongoing, with updated data to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018.
About myelodysplastic syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a spectrum of hematopoietic stem cell malignancies in which the bone marrow does not produce sufficient numbers of healthy blood cells. Approximately 30-40% of MDS patients progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and p53 tumor suppressor protein mutation is thought to contribute to disease progression. P53 mutations are found in up to 20% of MDS and AML patients and are associated with poor overall prognosis.
Around p53 and APR-246
The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer that occurs in approximately 50% of all human tumors. These mutations are often associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs and poor overall survival, which represent a major unmet medical need for cancer treatment.
APR-246 has been shown to reactivate mutant and inactivated p53 protein-by restoring wild-type p53 conformation and function-and thus induce programmed cell death in human cancer cells. APR-246 has demonstrated pre-clinical anti-tumor activity in a wide range of solid and hematological (blood) tumors, including MDS, AML and ovarian cancers, among others. In addition, strong synergy has been seen with both traditional anti-cancer agents, such as chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs and immuno-oncology control point inhibitors. In addition to pre-clinical testing, a Phase I/II clinical program with APR-246 was completed, which demonstrated a favorable safety profile and both biological and confirmed clinical responses in hematological malignancies and solid tumors with mutations in the TP53 gene.
About aprea therapy
Aprea Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts and Stockholm, Sweden, which focuses on the discovery and development of novel anticancer compounds that reactivate the tumor suppressor protein p53. The Company’s lead drug candidate is APR-246, a first-in-class small molecule in clinical development for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and high-grade serious ovarian cancer, and further hematological malignancies trials are planned. Aprea is also developing second generation p53 reactivators with the best-in-class potential. In March 2016, Aprea completed a €46 million Series B financing with an international syndicate co-led by Versant Ventures and 5AM Ventures, with additional participation by Sectoral Asset Management, HealthCap, acting as a local lead investor, and an existing investor, Karolinska Development. Please visit www for more information. The Prea Come on,
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