Research Update - AACR-NCI-EORTC abstract

(AIM: SAR)
17 October 2019

SAREUM HOLDINGS PLC

("Sareum" or the "Company")

Sareum's TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor SDC-1802 demonstrates anti-tumour activity in multiple cancer disease models via a novel immunotherapeutic mechanism of action

Abstract for presentation at AACR-NCI-EORTC cancer conference published

Sareum Holdings plc, the specialist small molecule drug development business, is pleased to announce that, further to its announcement of 27 September 2019, the abstract for the poster that the Company will present at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) National Cancer Institute (NCI) European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) International Conference, has now been published on the conference website.  The abstract can be viewed in full using the link below:

Poster Session C: Therapeutic Agents - Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors, 12.30-4.00pm
https://eventpilotadmin.com/web/page.php?page=IntHtml&project=AACR19MT&id=363
"Immunotherapeutic effects of the TYK2 inhibitor SAR-20351 in syngeneic tumour models."
Abstract C086, Poster Board #86

The Conference will be held 26-30 October 2019 in Boston, USA and Sareum's CEO, Dr Tim Mitchell, will present the poster on 29 October 2019.  The poster will describe how SDC-1802 (formerly known as SAR-20351), a novel selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor discovered by Sareum, significantly reduces tumour growth in disease models of cancers of the pancreas, colon, skin and kidney, plus B-cell lymphoma.

The studies determined that SDC-1802 induces this anti-cancer activity through a novel immunotherapeutic mechanism of action that stimulates the local immune system to attack cancer cells. These positive results were seen when SDC-1802/SAR-20351 was dosed orally, both as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. These data provide support for TYK2/JAK1 inhibition as a potentially powerful new immunotherapy approach and for the further development of SDC-1802 as a novel cancer therapeutic.

Sareum's CEO, Dr Tim Mitchell, commented: "We are looking forward to presenting the data showing how our TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, SDC-1802, induces a significant reduction of tumour growth in preclinical models of many cancer types via a novel immunotherapeutic mechanism of action. These data suggest that our TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor could also offer the additional potential advantage of oral delivery. This contrasts with currently marketed cancer immunotherapies, which can only be dosed by injection. We are delighted to be presenting at this important international cancer conference and engaging with interested parties from the many leading pharma and biotech companies that attend this event."

For further information, please contact: 

Notes for editors:

Sareum is a specialist drug development company delivering targeted small molecule therapeutics to improve the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. The Company aims to generates value through licensing its candidates to international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies at the preclinical or early clinical trials stage.

Sareum is advancing internal programmes focused on distinct dual tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) / Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitors through preclinical development as therapies for autoimmune diseases (SDC-1801) and cancers (SDC-1802). The Company is targeting first human clinical trials in each indication in 2020.

Sareum also has an economic interest in SRA737, a clinical-stage oral, selective Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitor that targets cancer cell replication and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Preliminary data suggest SRA737 may have broad application in combination with other oncology and immune-oncology drugs in genetically defined patients. SRA737 was discovered and initially developed by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research in collaboration with Sareum, and with funding from Cancer Research UK. SRA737 was licensed by CRT Pioneer Fund (CPF) to Sierra Oncology, in a $328.5m plus royalties licence deal, with Sareum eligible to receive 27.5% of all payments to CPF under the agreement.

Sareum Holdings plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, trading under the ticker SAR. For further information, please visit www.sareum.co.uk

Cancer Immunotherapy, also known as immuno-oncology, is a form of cancer treatment that uses the power of the body's own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer. Cancer Immunotherapy can:

·    Educate the immune system to recognise and attack specific cancer cells;

·    Boost immune cells to help them eliminate cancer; and

·    Provide the body with additional components to enhance the immune response.

Unleashing the power of the immune system is considered to be a smart way to fight cancer because:

·    The immune system is precise, so it is possible for it to target cancer cells exclusively while sparing healthy cells;

·    The immune system can adapt continuously and dynamically, just like cancer does, so if a tumour manages to escape detection, the immune system can re-evaluate and launch a new attack; and

·    The immune system's "memory" allows it to remember what cancer cells look like, so it can target and eliminate the cancer if it returns.

(Source: The Cancer Research Institute, www.cancerresearch.org)

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