BASEL, SWITZERLAND-- April 11, 2022 -- Rhizen Pharmaceuticals AG (Rhizen), a Switzerland-based privately held, clinical-stage oncology & inflammation-focussed biopharmaceutical company, announced the release of data on its differentiated next-generation clinical-stage PARP (Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase) and DHODH (DiHydro Orotate DeHydrogenase) inhibitor programs at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2022 Annual Meeting. Rhizen’s poster presentations describe the preclinical characterization and differentiated features of its novel PARP inhibitor (RP12146) and preclinical data supporting the broad positioning of its DHODH inhibitor (RP7214) in AML.

Rhizen had earlier indicated that its PARP program had demonstrated differentiated IND enabling preclinical safety. The additional preclinical data being presented at AACR 2022 suggests that this differentiated safety may be due to the lower bone marrow distribution of RP12146 and concomitantly lower haematological toxicity. “We believe RP12146’s safety differential has allowed us to progress through the dose escalation study more efficiently. Further, the emerging data from our ongoing phase 1 dose escalation study is encouraging & corroborative with robust target engagement and safety observed so far. We believe that this differentiation, as it translates more fully in the clinic, may allow us to explore the full potential of PARP inhibition across indications given RP12146’s potentially wide therapeutic window,” said Swaroop Vakkalanka, Founder & CEO of Rhizen Pharma.

Rhizen indicated that its DHODH inhibitor, RP7214 has robust activity as a single agent in inducing tumor volume & size reduction and differentiation of AML blasts consistent with its mechanism of action. RP7214 also potentiates the activity of standard of care AML agents such as cytarabine, venetoclax and azacytidine. Swaroop added that “We have initiated a phase 2 study to explore RP7214 in combination with azacytidine in relapsed/refractory AML, CMML and MDS patients. The potential of DHODH inhibition as a therapeutic modality in AML remains unfulfilled and we expect RP7214 can eventually realize that potential. We believe elderly patients who are ineligible for frontline chemotherapy and maintenance settings represent areas of unmet need that RP7214 can address.”