Swiss Biotech TORQUR AG Unveils Groundbreaking Data on New Cancer Drug Candidate Bimiralisib
Basel, Switzerland – March 15, 2024 – TORQUR AG, a leading Swiss biotechnology firm, announces the publication of promising phase 1 clinical trial results for bimiralisib, its innovative anti-cancer drug candidate. The data, showcasing bimiralisib's potential as a targeted therapy for various solid tumors, were published in the prestigious journal *Cancers* on March 13, 2024, under the title "A Phase I Study of the Oral Dual-Acting Pan-PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor Bimiralisib in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors."
The trial marks a significant milestone in cancer therapy, involving collaboration with top-tier cancer centers worldwide, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, University Hospital Basel, UCL Cancer Institute, and Oxford University Hospitals.
Bimiralisib targets the PI3K, Akt, and mTOR signaling pathways, which are crucial for cell growth and survival. In this trial, bimiralisib has demonstrated an improved safety profile when administered on an intermittent schedule, which could enable safe combinations with other therapies.
Clinical Trial Highlights:
• Identification of a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for bimiralisib, with intermittent schedules showing fewer side effects than continuous dosing.
• Encouraging safety profile, with manageable adverse events and favorable pharmacokinetics (PK) profile, paving the way for future development in biomarker-selected patient populations and combinations with other therapies.
Prof. Dr. Alex Adjei, previously the principal investigator at Mayo Clinic and now Director of Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center, commented, "Bimiralisib's safety profile represents a promising advancement in the targeted treatment of cancer."
Dr. Natasa Cmiljanovic, Chief Operating Officer of TORQUR AG, highlighted the drug's versatility: "The ability to administer bimiralisib intermittently to improve its safety profile lays a solid foundation for exploring its combination with standard treatments across multiple cancer indications, thereby expanding treatment options and potentially improving patient outcomes."
Under the leadership of Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic, CEO of TORQUR AG and former co-founder of Piqur Therapeutics AG, TORQUR AG continues to innovate in targeted cancer therapies. "Acquiring Piqur's assets was a strategic move to advance our mission of developing bimiralisib and a new generation of PI3K/mTOR inhibitors," said Dr. Cmiljanovic.
For further details on this groundbreaking study, visit https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16061137.