Date: 2017-02-22
Type of information: Series B financing round
Company: Oncternal Therapeutics (USA - CA)
Investors:
Amount: $18.4 million
Funding type: series B financing round
Planned used:
- • Oncternal Therapeutics intends to use the proceeds to further clinical development programs for cirmtuzumab and TK216, and to advance preclinical development of a new ROR1-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) program.
- Cirmtuzumab is a first-in-class anti-ROR1 monoclonal antibody being developed to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Research has shown that ROR1 expression identifies cancer stem cells in a number of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, and that certain antibodies against ROR1 inhibit malignant behavior. Initial findings from the ongoing Phase 1a clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL, including signs of pharmacological activity and prolonged progression-free survival, were presented at the American Society of Hematology Meeting in December 2016.
- TK216 is a first-in-class small molecule that inhibits the biological activity of ets-family transcription factor oncoproteins in a variety of tumor types, inhibiting cancer cell growth and tumor formation in nonclinical models. In Ewing sarcoma, TK216 is designed to target a fusion protein that causes the disease. A Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcoma is currently underway.
- Oncternal is also investigating the potential of ROR1-targeted ADCs. Preclinical models show that upon binding, ROR1 antibodies such as cirmtuzumab are rapidly internalized and traffic inside the cell in a manner that is ideal for delivering a cytotoxic payload.
Others: • On February 22, 2017, Oncternal Therapeutics announced the closing of an $18.4 million Series B financing. =
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology - Rare diseases
Is general: Yes
