Sareum reports positive results from TYK2 programme

Specialist cancer drug discovery and development business Sareum announced a successful conclusion from its feasibility study into the potential for its TYK2 programme lead molecules to treat T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (T-ALL) on Monday.

The AIM-traded company said the investigation culminated in a T-ALL disease model study in which Sareum's compounds, dosed orally, were well tolerated, presented good exposure to plasma and tumour tissue and showed a dose-dependent effect on a biomarker of TYK2 inhibition and tumour reduction of up to 80%.

T-ALL is a rare type of leukaemia that most often occurs in late childhood and early adolescence, and the board said a patent application to protect the new intellectual property arising from the successful research has been filed.

Sareum had previously announced on 17 June 2015 that it had received notification from Innovate UK of its success in its application to the BioMedical Catalyst for funding of up to £140,000.

“We are delighted with the outcome of this study,” said Sareum CSO Dr John Reader.

“It has successfully demonstrated the potential of our TYK2 inhibitors to treat this leukaemia.”

Reader said the company believes commercial interest in the programme should increase further as a result, and the board was grateful to Innovate UK for their financial support.

“The positive results from this feasibility award may lead to other opportunities to secure additional funding awards to advance the programme further.”