Halda boosts its proximity approach
A deal between VantAI and Halda Therapeutics could help accelerate the latter's intriguing cell-killing approach. The up-front fee wasn't disclosed, but the collaboration could be worth over $1bn, including milestones. Halda's so-called RIPTACs (regulated induced proximity targeting chimeras) are designed simultaneously to bind a tumour-specific protein on one end, and a protein with an essential function for cell survival on the other. The molecules induce the formation of a trimeric complex when both proteins are present, disrupting the essential protein and ultimately triggering tumour cell death. Halda’s lead candidate, HLD-0915, progressed into clinical trials for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer earlier this year, and has just received fast-track designation from the FDA. In addition, the company is developing a RIPTAC project for HR-positive breast cancer, currently at the IND-enabling stage, alongside several other programmes that remain undisclosed. VantAI’s technology could help identify new target-effector pairs, in oncology and immunology, with the hope of hitting previously inaccessible targets.
Halda's pipeline
| Programme | Target | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HLD-0915 | AR | Ph1 in mCRPC |
| Breast cancer RIPTAC | Undisclosed | IND-enabling studies |
| Additional RIPTACs | Undisclosed | Discovery stages |
Source: OncologyPipeline.
inaccessible targets.
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