Lantern Pharma has entered into a partnership with Oregon Therapeutics for optimising the development of the cancer drug candidate, XCE853, through an AI-driven approach.

XCE853 is an inhibitor of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI).

The partnership will utilise RADR AI platform of Lantern to identify biomarkers and efficacy-linked signatures of XCE853 for precision development across solid tumours.

Furthermore, this alliance will identify biomarker signatures that can aid in stratifying tumours that are most responsive to the drug and facilitate in the clinical development and patient selection in the future.

Oregon focuses on developing XCE853 for a range of cancer indications, including drug-resistant ovarian and pancreatic cancers, certain haematological cancers, and several paediatric cancers, such as central nervous system (CNS) cancers.

The collaboration aims to harness computational tools, including machine learning and large-scale molecular analysis, to streamline the development process.

The partnership will integrate and interrogate a vast array of molecular, genetic, and transcriptomic data related to XCE853.

RADR's extensive library, featuring over 60bn data points and more than 200 machine learning algorithms, will power this analysis.

The collaboration's initial objectives include uncovering biomarkers, identifying tumour response mechanisms, and expanding XCE853's therapeutic applications.

As the deal terms, Lantern will gain equal IP co-ownership and drug development rights for new biomarkers and indications as well as pharmacological usage strategies for XC853 and associated analogues.

Oregon will receive financial benefits from the out-licensing of the background IP to Lantern.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Oregon Therapeutics CEO Marc-Henry PITTY said: “To date, our first-in-class metabolic inhibitor, XCE853, has exhibited robust preclinical efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo models across multiple cancer types. 

“Lantern’s RADRAI platform will leverage the in vitro and in vivo data to potentially advance XCE853 development in a highly targeted manner and will help inform disease indications and biomarker signatures that can aid in the design of future clinical trials and in the pursuit of combination therapies with other approved cancer drugs.”