AUM302 (formerly IBL-302) is a first-in-class oral kinase inhibitor rationally designed to uniquely combine pan-PIM kinase, pan-PI3K and mTOR inhibition in a single agent. AUM302 is a product of the company’s dual mechanism kinase inhibitor program.

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The data for AUM302 indicates potent efficacy, good tolerability and favourable drug properties. AUM302 has been tested in over 700 cell lines with activity shown across a broad range of tissue types including breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and neuroblastoma. Initial analysis of this cell line panel identifies PIK3CA mutation, high PIM kinase expression and elevated MYC expression as factors indicating sensitivity to AUM302, markers which may be supportive in selecting patient subgroups in clinical trials.

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We have generated a pre-clinical data package on AUM302 which supports the commencement of IND enabling studies. This includes proof-of-concept in several xenograft models (breast, lung, neuroblastoma, AML) and in patient tissue samples (prostate).

The potential for AUM302 to treat neuroblastoma was published in peer reviewed EMBO Molecular Medicine in 2019.

In July 2019, the global development and commercialisation rights to AUM302 were licensed to AUM Biosciences, Singapore.

 

AUM 302 in Breast Cancer

Approximately one million people globally are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and, of these, one third have a mutated PI3K pathway. Additionally, PIM kinase expression is elevated in triple negative breast cancer tumours and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with hormone - and HER2-negative tumours (A Goga; Nature; October 2016).

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Researchers at the Dana Faber Cancer Institute explored the causes of resistance to PI3K inhibition in breast cancer. They noted that high PIM expression confers resistance and so co-targeting of PIM kinase and PI3K may be warranted in a subset of breast cancers (L. Garraway; Cancer Discovery; October 2016).

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As a result of our proof-of concept data with our dual mechanism program, we established a research collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland to refine the potential clinical setting in breast cancer for AUM302, specifically in treatment-resistant breast cancer, including triple negative breast cancers. Results of the collaboration were presented at AACR in 2018.

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AUM302 indication Expansion

Beyond potential lead target indication in breast cancer, we also see potential for AUM302 in other cancers including lung cancer, AML, lymphoma, neuroblastoma and pancreas cancer. Positive pre-clinical results with AUM302 in neuroblastoma, in collaboration with Lund University, were published in EMBO Molecular Medicine.

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