Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE: ROQ, OTCQB: ROQAF), the Main Market listed biotech company focused on developing first in class medicines in the high value and high growth oncology market, provides an update on its pre-clinical drug development programs, Randox licencing agreement and out-licencing discussions.
Pre-Clinical Drug Development Programs
Further to the Company's announcement on
During Q1 2024 the Company's Midkine RNA oligonucleotide and STAT-6 siRNA programs have been undergoing studies in combination with proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems. The initial studies have shown successful encapsulation with the LNPs and biological activity of the combination in liver cancer. Further results are expected to be reported by the end of Q1 2024.
Randox Licencing Agreement (Diagnostics)
As announced in
Out-Licencing Discussions (Therapeutics)
In line with its strategy, the Company is currently engaged in confidential out-licencing discussions with potential partners, including large pharmaceuticals companies and a specialist private equity fund. A further announcement will be made should a binding agreement be entered into with one or more partners. The programs and jurisdictions being negotiated include the Midkine antibodies and STAT-6 isRNA programs, and relate to licences for the US,
Roquefort Therapeutics CEO Ajan Reginald commented: 'We have been making great progress across our pre-clinical drug development programs and are particularly excited with the recent results from our MK cell program which is a very attractive novel therapeutic approach. The MK cell program has demonstrated both direct killing and natural killer cell activation in a commercially attractive field which has significant interest from large pharmaceutical companies. MK cells are a new class of cellular medicine and add to the Midkine programs and the siRNA program to create a portfolio of five first-in-class medicines.
We are pleased with the progress our Midkine diagnostics licencing agreement with Randox is making and the IVD tests not only validate Midkine as a target, but it will also help accelerate our Midkine portfolio in the clinic, further adding to its commercial appeal.
We are delivering on our strategy to select and acquire novel science and to precisely develop this into commercially valuable medicines. We are developing first in class medicines, which given the patent cliff faced by big pharma, are some of the most valuable assets in the Biopharmaceutical space. The Company remains in discussions with multiple potential partners and looks forward to updating shareholders as to our progress in due course.'
Contact:
Tel: +44 (0)20 3918 8633
Tel: +44 (0)203 764 2341
About Roquefort Therapeutics
Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ, OTCQB:ROQAF) is a Main Market listed biotech company developing first in class drugs in the high value and high growth oncology segment prior to partnering or selling to big pharma.
Since listing in
Roquefort Therapeutics' portfolio consists of five novel patent-protected pre-clinical anti-cancer medicines. The highly complementary profile of five best-in-class medicines consists of: Midkine antibodies with significant in vivo efficacy and toxicology studies; Midkine RNA therapeutics with novel anti-cancer gene editing action; Midkine mRNA therapeutics with novel anti-cancer approach; STAT-6 siRNA therapeutics targeting solid tumours with significant in vivo efficacy and MK cell therapy with direct and NK cell-mediated anti-cancer action
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