Science
Selective Cytotoxicity: Targeting the ELANE Pathway to Kill Cancer, Not Immunity
A New Class of Therapeutics that Eradicate Cancer Cells while Preserving and Activating the Immune System
Today’s cancer treatments often force a choice between directly attacking tumor cells or harnessing the body’s immune response. Traditional cytotoxic therapies can be powerful tumor killers but can also damage the very immune cells needed for effective, long-term cancer control. Immunotherapies, on the other hand, activate the immune system to fight cancer but sometimes lack the immediate cell-killing power required to overcome resistant tumors.
At Onchilles, we believe there’s a better way. We are pioneering next-generation selective cytotoxic agents that offer broad cancer-killing capabilities while preserving – and even activating – immune cells. Our goal is to ensure that potent tumor destruction goes hand in hand with long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. By leveraging innovative science that selectively targets cancer cells, we strive to transform cancer treatment for patients worldwide.
The ELANE Pathway
A Breakthrough in Precision Cancer Cytotoxicity
The ELANE pathway was discovered by our scientific founder, Dr. Lev Becker, and enables the selective eradication of cancer cells regardless of their genetic makeup or anatomical origin while sparing healthy tissue including immune cells (Cell, 2021). By therapeutically targeting the ELANE pathway, Onchilles exploits a critical vulnerability shared by all cancer cells: elevated histone H1 levels. This hallmark of cancer drives genomic instability, aberrant gene expression, and unchecked proliferation. Onchilles’ research shows that essential components of the ELANE pathway are active in patient samples, indicating broad real-world applicability.
Targeting the ELANE Pathway
Onchilles Pharma has leveraged extensive translational research to develop first-in-class drug candidates that selectively kill cancer cells while preserving immune function. Through rigorous testing, Onchilles has validated the ELANE pathway as a powerful mechanism for cancer-selective cytotoxicity.
To ensure clinical relevance, the company prioritized patient-derived models and experiments designed to replicate the complexities of clinical treatment, leading to the creation of its proprietary drug candidates: NEU-001 (N17350), a tumor-directed therapeutic for localized delivery, and NEU-002, an intravenously administered agent for systemic treatment.
These next-generation therapeutics demonstrate
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Broad-cancer cell killing to overcome tumor heterogeneity and generate a diverse antigen repertoire, all while preserving immune cells
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Immune activation and CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, effective in both ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ tumors
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No observed resistance and sustained potency following repeated dosing
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No cross-resistance, retaining efficacy in chemo- and checkpoint inhibitor-resistant tumors
