Yielding enhanced activity in established targets with co-delivery platform
Combination therapies are a potentially powerful approach to combating many forms of cancer, but effectiveness can vary when combination therapies are administered through separate delivery systems. PORT-4 (SAUG-1 and SAUG-2) aims to deliver combination cancer treatments in a single medicine.
Portage is creating proprietary DNA aptamers – short sequences of DNA specifically designed to bind to target receptors. These DNA aptamers are then packaged into nanolipogels (NLG), a proprietary platform technology developed by Portage and licensed from Yale University that allows for the loading and controlled release of different combinations of molecules within the tumor microenvironment.
The PORT-4 platform’s co-formulation approach creates the potential for delivering customized combinations of effective therapies that combine two separate drugs into a single medicine. Initial portfolio programs combine the delivery of approved PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors with the delivery of other drugs known to facilitate immune regulation, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) aptamer and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) small molecules. The co-delivery approach also offers important advantages over other methods, primarily the ability to minimize systemic side effects and deliver medicines with different physical and chemical properties, increasing the overall effectiveness of the therapy.
Initial programs for PORT-4 are currently undergoing preclinical testing. Clinical development is expected to begin in 2022.