Lipum seeks patent protecting inflammation-driven cancer treatment
Lipum has submitted an international patent application for SOL-116 as a treatment for inflammation-driven cancer. The patent application is based on the company’s research demonstrating that SOL-116 inhibits the growth of cancer cells by blocking the target protein BSSL. Additionally, studies on breast cancer patients indicate that high expression of BSSL correlates with a poor prognosis and shorter survival.
SOL-116 blocks the target protein Bile Salt-Stimulated Lipase (BSSL), which is a new way to treat inflammatory diseases. Lipum has selected rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as the primary indication for SOL-116, but the drug candidate is also being considered for other indications, including cancer driven by inflammation.
Therefore, with SOL-116 currently in clinical development against RA, the company has decided to apply for a patent protecting the candidate as a potential cancer therapy.
Potential treatment for cancer
Chronic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Lipum’s hope is to be able to treat inflammation-driven cancer with SOL-116, which is supported by the company’s research showing that blocking BSSL inhibits the growth of cancer cells in inflammation-driven cancer.
In recent years, research articles have also been published indicating a correlation between elevated levels of BSSL mRNA in tumour tissue of breast cancer patients and a poorer prognosis as well as shorter survival outcomes. Read one of the articles here.
CEO comments on patent application
To seize the opportunities within the field of cancer, Lipum has submitted an international patent application (PCT application), which will become public on April 14, 2024. The company’s CEO Ola Sandborgh commented on the news in a press release:
»The findings about BSSL being another significant mediator in cancer supports our view that it is an important target for treatment of inflammation. It is utmost encouraging that we have an antibody targeting this protein and yet another example about SOL-116´s potential usability in inflammatory disorders. I look forward to our continued development within this area.«
