Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma

Lung cancer is primarily classified into small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Non-small cell lung cancer grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer, allowing various treatments such as surgery and cancer drugs

Therapies and Market Outlook

In the U.S. and other developed countries, NSCLC population is at 710,000 now and continuously growing. The biggest share of the current NSCLC therapy market is taken by EGFR target therapies. According to UBS, Tagrisso, the latest 3rd generation EGFR targeted therapy, will rapidly grow from KRW 1.2 trillion in 2017 to KRW 6.5 trillion in 2023.

Voronoi Candidate is Different

Overcoming the EGFR Resistance Mechanism

The biggest concern in the EGFR targeted therapy market is how to overcome resistance in the lung cancer. Resistance develops after a therapy is used for some time. Tagrisso is recognized for overcoming resistance to 1st– and 2nd generation therapies. However, clinical investigations (AURA Phase 2 Extension, AURA2 Phase) have shown that even with Tagrisso, half of patients develop resistance (C797S or MET amplification) and their disease resumes progress in 12.5 months after using the drug. Voronoi’s candidate improves efficacy and delays resistance through combination with EGFR target therapies.  We conducted a long-term evaluation of the lung cancer xenograft animal model. The study has confirmed that tumors disappeared in most patients in the group which used Tagrisso and Voronoi’s candidate in combination. Also, after 120 days, resistance developed in the group which used Tagrisso only, but did not in the combination-administered group.

Therapy Development Status

Clinical Trial to Begin in 2019
We plan to begin phase 1 in 2019. We are planning the details of the study with the advice of Professor Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) of Harvard, who led the clinical development of Tagrisso. His advice will be helpful to effective combination study.

Market Potential

Voronoi’s candidate is expected to prolong patients’ survival through combination with Tagrisso, a 3rd generation EGFR targeted therapy. In addition, we have confirmed synergistic effect in combination with other EGFR targeted therapies. Since our candidate complements existing EGFR targeted therapies, instead of competing with them, it will have an easy access to market.

Voronoi is developing therapeutic candidate for non-small cell lung cancer and other solid cancers, by designing selective inhibitors of new kinase related to EGFR inhibitor acquired-resistance. Voronoi candidate selectively suppresses VRN6 kinase activity involved in EGFR resistance. In animal tests, we confirmed that when co-treated with existing EGFR lung cancer drugs, the xenografted tumor completely disappeared in the high-dose group, and time to tumor resistance and survival rate considerably increased in the low-dose of VRN6 group. We are investigating other EGFR inhibitor-resistant cell lines for combination therapy, with the advice from Dr. Pasi A. Jänne at DFCI, Harvard, a world-renowned expert in EGFR targeted drug development. In addition, we plan to initiate clinical trials in 2019.

Meet Dr. Jänne
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Pipeline

VRN02, DYRK1A, Autoimmune Disease

VRN02 program is under development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, by inhibiting DYRK1A kinase activity. Series of animal experiments have suggested that VRN02 has efficacy for major autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and atopic dermatitis, and we are expanding into other indications. VRN02 is under development not only as oral pills, but also as topical formulation to apply on skin.

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VRN04, RIPK1, Autoimmune diseases

VRN04 program is under development for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, by inhibiting RIPK1 kinase activity. Series of animal experiments have suggested that VRN04 has efficacy for major inflammatory diseases such as acute lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, and we are expanding into other indications.

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VRN08, TTK, Triple-negative Breast cancer

Voronoi’s VRN08 program aims to treat TNBC by targeting TTK. We plan to expand indication to other solid tumors like pancreatic cancer and brain cancer. As TNBC, pancreatic cancer, and brain cancer are areas where existing targeted therapeutics and immuno-oncology drugs have little efficacy, development of effective and safe therapeutics is urgently needed.

Pipeline

VRN02, DYRK1A, Autoimmune diseases

VRN02 program is under development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, by inhibiting DYRK1A kinase activity. Series of animal experiments have suggested that VRN02 has efficacy for major autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and atopic dermatitis, and we are expanding into other indications. VRN02 is under development not only as oral pills, but also as topical formulation to apply on skin.

Pipeline

VRN01, LRRK2, Glioblastoma

VRN01 program is under development for the treatment of brain tumor, especially GBM (Glioblastoma multiforme) which is known to be the most malignant form of brain tumor, by inhibiting LRRK2 kinase activity.

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Brain Tumor

We are developing a new therapy targeting brain tumor stem cells, a cause of brain tumor relapse. We are working to treat GBM, or Glioblastoma, the most malignant form of brain cancer.

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Alzheimer’s Disease

We are developing a therapy that targets both amyloid beta and tau.
Animal tests have proven that Voronoi’s candidate significantly suppresses them and
substantially improves cognitive function.

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Chronic Inflammatory Disease

TNF- α is well known as a core cause of inflammation, accompanied by autoimmune diseases. Voronoi has identified a candidate compound that blocks signal transduction of TNF- α. We are now developing therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic psoriasis, xerophthalmia, macular degeneration and degenerative brain disease.

Pipeline

Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma

We identified a candidate that can overcome the EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor) resistance issues existing cancer drugs had. The candidate is being developed as therapy for lung cancer and various solid cancers.

Science

Pipeline

We focus on developing therapies for intractable and rare diseases.

Science

R&D Platform

We lead next-generation therapy development based on advanced technologies and platform.

Science

Collaboration

"Voronoi endeavors to open a new chapter in tumor treatment, giving patients new hope."

Meet the experts

Nathanael Gray, PhD

​Nathanael Gray is the Nancy-Lurie Marks Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Company

Our work

Voronoi develops novel TPD (Target protein degraders) and kinase inhibitors with the aim to treat intractable and rare diseases. We are developing competitive therapies based on deep understanding of diseases and innovative technologies.

Company

About VORONOI

Voronoi Group consists of the parent company Voronoi and its subsidiaries Voronoi Bio and B2S Bio. Voronoi leads clinical development throughout the R&D journey. Voronoi Bio focuses on R&D of molecular modeling and kinase inhibitor, and B2S Bio focuses on TPD.

People

Meet the experts

Our experts and the management bring to the team years of experience and expertise in various fields.