Tube Pharmaceuticals to Develop a New Class of Anti-cancer Drugs
Seed financing completed
Ascenion, the technology transfer partner of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) announced the foundation of Tube Pharmaceuticals, a Vienna-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of tubulysins as powerful anti-cancer drugs. The company has recently closed a one million seed financing round with aws. Ascenion has mediated the licensing of key IP originating from the HZI and has acquired shares in the newly founded venture.
Tubulysins were originally discovered by HZI researchers as a new class of natural substances with outstanding toxicity against dividing cells, including cancer cells, which are characterized by an abnormally high level of cell division. They are among the most powerful cell division inhibitors known to date, far more potent even than common chemotherapeutics that are used for cancer treatment.
Tube Pharmaceuticals holds the exclusive rights to the class of natural tubulysins as well as to their synthetic analogues. The latter can easily be produced and coupled to almost any kind of carrier, including antibodies, peptides or polymers. In this way, tubulysins can specifically be delivered to their intended site of action.
‘Tubulysin conjugates address the urgent need for more effective and specific cancer treatments,’ Christian Stein, CEO of Ascenion comments. ‘The foundation of Tube Pharmaceuticals and the licensing of corresponding IP rights provide an exciting opportunity for translating the HZI’s discovery and the results of many years’ development work finally into application.’
Tube Parma’s lead candidate is a tubulysin-polymer conjugate that forms nanoparticles which release their toxic load specifically in cancer cells. Initial proof-of-concept has already been established. In model systems, the conjugate was found to be safe and highly effective in destroying tumor cells. ‘With the seed funding from aws and the supportive environment here in Austria, we are perfectly set to advance our tubulysin conjugate to the next development stage,’ Wolfgang Richter, CEO of Tube Pharmaceuticals says.
“The setting-up of an innovative and internationally competitive high-tech company requires a lot of know-how, courage and capital,” Bernhard Sagmeister, Managing Director of aws explains. “That is why the Austrian promotional bank aws supports the starting phase of young high-tech companies with up to € one million, combined with tailored advice and support. Austria has become a vibrant location for life sciences. To continue this success story, our economy needs new innovative enterprises. We welcome Tube Pharmaceuticals and look very much forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with the team.”
Major mid-term milestones of Tube Pharmaceuticals include the completion of preclinical studies and the formation of strategic partnerships as a premier basis for follow-on financing. In parallel, the company is exploring the potential of further conjugation options for its tubulysins, together with a range of industrial and academic partners.
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