Latest news with #Cryptigens™
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Epitopea Announces Nature Cancer Paper on Novel Immunotherapy Targets in Melanoma and NSCLC
Further Validates Cryptigens™ as Actionable Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy MONTREAL and CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epitopea, a transatlantic cancer immunotherapy company, and Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal, a leading Canadian research institution renowned for scientific innovation and technology transfer, announce a scientific publication in the leading medical journal Nature Cancer (1). This paper demonstrates that Epitopea's CryptoMap™ platform can identify shared, nonmutated, aberrantly-expressed tumor-specific antigens (Cryptigens™) as highly abundant, actionable targets for immunotherapy in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The identification of Cryptigens™ with potential clinical utility distinguishes Epitopea's approach from many other immunotherapy companies that have focused on the identification of mutated tumor antigens (mTAs). In the paper, produced with international academic collaborators at Canada's McGill University, University of Liege in Belgium, and Switzerland's University of Lausanne, CryptoMap™ identified 589 non-redundant tumor antigens (TAs) in cutaneous melanoma and NSCLC. Significantly, only 1% of the actionable TAs were derived from mutated sequences or mTAs. Of the 99% of TAs remaining, approximately 37% (n=220) of TAs identified were Cryptigens™. These Cryptigens™ are immunogenic, shared among tumor samples, and could contribute to immune checkpoint blockade responses, supporting their utility in immune targeting across the tumor landscape. 'These data from this latest publication from our collaborators at UdeM further validate the potential benefit of Epitopea's CryptoMap™ platform and our transformative approach to treating cancer,' commented Epitopea's CEO, Alan C. Rigby. 'We believe our Cryptigens™ offer significant competitive advantages over current treatment approaches that have focused solely on mTAs. As illustrated, our approach has the potential to stimulate the immune system to precisely recognize and destroy cancer cells more rapidly and effectively, which we believe will translate into durable patient responses in these indications.' 'We have long been researching immune-based approaches that could transform the lives of cancer patients through the discovery of accessible and effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat tumors. This latest research further strengthens our understanding of the target space amenable for the development of cancer immunotherapy treatments. In particular, the fact that only 1% of tumor antigens are derived from mutated sequences highlights the potential value of exploring unmutated sequences across the cancer landscape. Collectively, the findings in our collaborative manuscript challenge a dogmatic belief that mTAs are the dominant actionable targets for cancer immunotherapy,' said Dr. Claude Perreault, Principal Investigator at UdeM's Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, corresponding author of the paper, and a co-founder of Epitopea. Reference: (1) Nature Cancer paper: 'Tumor antigens preferentially derive from unmutated genomic sequences in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer'. About Epitopea Epitopea is a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company developing accessible off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies for use in hard-to-treat cancers by targeting a new class of untapped tumor-specific antigens, which are known as Cryptigen™ TSAs, that are broadly shared across multiple patients with the same tumor type. The company has created an extensive library of novel Cryptigen™ TSAs, discovered by its proprietary CryptoMap™ platform that leverages immunopeptidomics, genomics, and a bioinformatics pipeline, allowing the identification of aberrantly-expressed, tumor-specific antigens (aeTSAs) that are hidden within cancer's 'junk' DNA. These hidden Cryptigen™ TSAs were first discovered through research led by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the Université de Montréal. Epitopea is backed by leading life science investors including Advent Life Sciences, CTI Life Sciences, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Le Fonds de Solidarité FTQ, Investissement Québec, adMare BioInnovations, Jonathan Milner, the Harrington Discovery Institute, IRICoR and Novateur Ventures. The company has a license and research collaboration with MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA). Epitopea was founded in 2021 and consists of sister companies based in Cambridge, UK and in Montreal, Canada. For additional information, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn. About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal An ultra-modern research hub and training centre located in the heart of the Université de Montréal, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal was created in 2003 to shed light on the mechanisms of cancer and discover new, more effective therapies to counter this disease. The IRIC operates according to a model that is unique in Canada. Its innovative approach to research has already led to discoveries that will, over the coming years, have a significant impact on the fight against cancer. For further information EpitopeaDr. Alan C. Rigby – Scius Communications (for Epitopea)Katja Stout+44 7789 435990katja@ Daniel Gooch+44 7747 875479daniel@ Noémie Desbois MackenzieCommunication ManagerIRIC+1 while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Epitopea Announces Nature Cancer Paper on Novel Immunotherapy Targets in Melanoma and NSCLC
Further Validates Cryptigens™ as Actionable Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy MONTREAL and CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epitopea, a transatlantic cancer immunotherapy company, and Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal, a leading Canadian research institution renowned for scientific innovation and technology transfer, announce a scientific publication in the leading medical journal Nature Cancer (1). This paper demonstrates that Epitopea's CryptoMap™ platform can identify shared, nonmutated, aberrantly-expressed tumor-specific antigens (Cryptigens™) as highly abundant, actionable targets for immunotherapy in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The identification of Cryptigens™ with potential clinical utility distinguishes Epitopea's approach from many other immunotherapy companies that have focused on the identification of mutated tumor antigens (mTAs). In the paper, produced with international academic collaborators at Canada's McGill University, University of Liege in Belgium, and Switzerland's University of Lausanne, CryptoMap™ identified 589 non-redundant tumor antigens (TAs) in cutaneous melanoma and NSCLC. Significantly, only 1% of the actionable TAs were derived from mutated sequences or mTAs. Of the 99% of TAs remaining, approximately 37% (n=220) of TAs identified were Cryptigens™. These Cryptigens™ are immunogenic, shared among tumor samples, and could contribute to immune checkpoint blockade responses, supporting their utility in immune targeting across the tumor landscape. 'These data from this latest publication from our collaborators at UdeM further validate the potential benefit of Epitopea's CryptoMap™ platform and our transformative approach to treating cancer,' commented Epitopea's CEO, Alan C. Rigby. 'We believe our Cryptigens™ offer significant competitive advantages over current treatment approaches that have focused solely on mTAs. As illustrated, our approach has the potential to stimulate the immune system to precisely recognize and destroy cancer cells more rapidly and effectively, which we believe will translate into durable patient responses in these indications.' 'We have long been researching immune-based approaches that could transform the lives of cancer patients through the discovery of accessible and effective immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat tumors. This latest research further strengthens our understanding of the target space amenable for the development of cancer immunotherapy treatments. In particular, the fact that only 1% of tumor antigens are derived from mutated sequences highlights the potential value of exploring unmutated sequences across the cancer landscape. Collectively, the findings in our collaborative manuscript challenge a dogmatic belief that mTAs are the dominant actionable targets for cancer immunotherapy,' said Dr. Claude Perreault, Principal Investigator at UdeM's Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, corresponding author of the paper, and a co-founder of Epitopea. Reference: (1) Nature Cancer paper: 'Tumor antigens preferentially derive from unmutated genomic sequences in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer'. About Epitopea Epitopea is a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company developing accessible off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies for use in hard-to-treat cancers by targeting a new class of untapped tumor-specific antigens, which are known as Cryptigen™ TSAs, that are broadly shared across multiple patients with the same tumor type. The company has created an extensive library of novel Cryptigen™ TSAs, discovered by its proprietary CryptoMap™ platform that leverages immunopeptidomics, genomics, and a bioinformatics pipeline, allowing the identification of aberrantly-expressed, tumor-specific antigens (aeTSAs) that are hidden within cancer's 'junk' DNA. These hidden Cryptigen™ TSAs were first discovered through research led by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the Université de Montréal. Epitopea is backed by leading life science investors including Advent Life Sciences, CTI Life Sciences, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Le Fonds de Solidarité FTQ, Investissement Québec, adMare BioInnovations, Jonathan Milner, the Harrington Discovery Institute, IRICoR and Novateur Ventures. The company has a license and research collaboration with MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA). Epitopea was founded in 2021 and consists of sister companies based in Cambridge, UK and in Montreal, Canada. For additional information, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn. About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal An ultra-modern research hub and training centre located in the heart of the Université de Montréal, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal was created in 2003 to shed light on the mechanisms of cancer and discover new, more effective therapies to counter this disease. The IRIC operates according to a model that is unique in Canada. Its innovative approach to research has already led to discoveries that will, over the coming years, have a significant impact on the fight against cancer. For further information EpitopeaDr. Alan C. Rigby – Scius Communications (for Epitopea)Katja Stout+44 7789 435990katja@ Daniel Gooch+44 7747 875479daniel@ Noémie Desbois MackenzieCommunication ManagerIRIC+1 in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Epitopea Appoints Klaus Edvardsen M.D., Ph.D. as Chief Medical Officer
CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom and MONTREAL, Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epitopea, a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company developing accessible off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies, announces the appointment of Dr. Klaus Edvardsen as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Edvardsen, an accomplished oncology innovator and development leader, brings decades of clinical and strategic expertise to Epitopea as the company advances its pipeline of transformational cancer immunotherapies. Klaus joins Epitopea after serving as Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Nykode Therapeutics, where he oversaw clinical development, regulatory affairs, and project management across oncology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Prior to Nykode, he was CDO and CMO at CureVac, where he led development programs spanning oncology, infectious diseases, and rare diseases. He was also Senior Vice President and Head of Global Oncology Development at Merck Healthcare KgaA, where he was accountable for all aspects of early and late-stage development in oncology. During his four-year tenure at AstraZeneca as Senior Vice President, Head of Global Medicines Development Oncology, Klaus played a pivotal role in the development and regulatory approvals of groundbreaking therapies, including Tagrisso®, Lynparza®, and Calquence®. His leadership was instrumental in securing the fastest FDA and EMA approval for Tagrisso in non-small cell lung cancer and in advancing Lynparza for multiple indications, including ovarian and metastatic breast cancers. Klaus has also driven strategic partnerships, such as the joint development of Lynparza with Merck/MSD. Earlier in his pharmaceutical industry career, Klaus held senior oncology-focused positions at GSK, Genmab, and Aventis (Sanofi). During his academic career he was a Professor in Experimental Cancer Research at Lund University, Sweden, a Professor in Cell Biology at the University of Bergen, Norway, and an Associate Professor in the Protein Laboratory at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Klaus Edvardsen, Epitopea's new Chief Medical Officer, commented, 'I am truly honored to join Epitopea at this pivotal time in its journey. The company's pioneering work in leveraging Cryptigens™ as a novel class of tumor-specific antigens offers a unique opportunity to redefine cancer immunotherapy. I look forward to collaborating with Epitopea's talented team to drive the development of transformational therapies that can address significant unmet needs for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.' Dr. Alan C. Rigby, CEO of Epitopea, said, 'We are thrilled to welcome Klaus to our executive leadership team at such an important stage in Epitopea's growth. Klaus's experience and expertise in oncology drug development and his proven track record of leading innovative therapies from concept to regulatory approval will be instrumental as we advance our pipeline into clinical trials. His leadership undoubtedly strengthens our mission to develop durable, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapies that can profoundly improve patient outcomes.' Dr. Edvardsen's appointment comes as Epitopea continues to build on its groundbreaking discoveries of Cryptigens™, a new class of aberrantly expressed tumor-specific antigens uniquely shared across multiple patients with the same tumor type. Using its proprietary CryptoMap™ platform, Epitopea is pioneering the identification and exploitation of these antigens to develop RNA-based immunotherapies targeting cancers with significant unmet medical needs. The expansion of Epitopea's leadership team and scientific expertise continue to position the company as a trailblazer in the field of RNA-immunotherapy that remains committed to advancing its mission of creating transformative solutions for patients worldwide. Notes To Editors Contact InformationEpitopea Dr. Alan C. Rigby – Scius Communications Katja Stout +44 7789 435990 katja@ Daniel Gooch +44 7747 875479 Daniel@ About EpitopeaEpitopea is a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company developing accessible off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies for use in hard-to-treat cancers by targeting a new class of untapped tumor-specific antigens, which are known as Cryptigen™ TSAs, that are broadly shared across multiple patients with the same tumor type. The company has created an extensive library of novel Cryptigen™ TSAs, discovered by its proprietary CryptoMap™ platform that leverages immunopeptidomics, genomics, and a bioinformatics pipeline, allowing the identification of aberrantly-expressed, tumor-specific antigens (aeTSA's) that are hidden within cancer's 'junk' DNA. These hidden Cryptigen™ TSAs were first discovered through research led by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the Université de Montréal. Epitopea is backed by leading life science investors including Advent Life Sciences, CTI Life Sciences, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Le Fonds de Solidarité FTQ, Investissement Québec, adMare BioInnovations, Jonathan Milner, the Harrington Discovery Institute, IRICoR and Novateur Ventures. To date the company has raised financing of more than USD $45 million. Epitopea was founded in 2021 and consists of sister companies based in Cambridge, UK and in Montreal, Canada. For additional information, please visit and follow us on in to access your portfolio
