Onco-Innovations Ltd. (CBOE CA: ONCO) (OTCQB: ONNVF) is advancing a new class of DNA Damage Response (DDR) therapies through the development of Polynucleotide Kinase Phosphatase (PNKP) inhibitors designed to disrupt cancer cells’ ability to repair DNA damage. The company recently achieved a key manufacturing milestone with the successful advancement toward kilogram-scale production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in its lead drug candidate, ONC010.
PNKP plays a critical role in repairing damaged DNA, and by inhibiting this enzyme, Onco-Innovations aims to exploit a vulnerability in cancer cells. Cancers frequently exhibit defective repair of damaged DNA, leading to the accumulation of mutations that can give rise to unchecked growth, evasion of the immune system, and the capacity to spread. Conventional DNA damaging therapies, like radiation treatment or some chemotherapies, can overwhelm a cancer’s limited repair capacity resulting in cancer cell death. However, some cancers retain sufficient DNA repair capacity to resist these treatments at doses patients can tolerate.
The company is positioning itself within this rapidly evolving area of oncology by developing PNKP inhibitors that could potentially overcome resistance to standard therapies. The manufacturing milestone for ONC010 is a critical step toward advancing the drug candidate into preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, Onco-Innovations announced a newly signed Letter of Intent with Nanosoft Polymers, which is expected to support polymer development, drug delivery optimization, and formulation work for the ONC010 program. This collaboration could enhance the therapeutic potential of ONC010 by improving its delivery to tumor sites.
These developments underscore the company's commitment to addressing hard-to-treat cancers where current treatment options are limited. The advancement toward kilogram-scale production suggests that Onco-Innovations is preparing for larger-scale manufacturing, which is essential for future clinical trials and eventual commercialization. The partnership with Nanosoft Polymers further strengthens the company's capabilities in drug formulation and delivery, potentially increasing the efficacy and safety profile of ONC010.
Investors can find the latest news and updates relating to ONNVF in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/ONNVF. Onco-Innovations is traded on the CBOE Canada under the symbol ONCO and on the OTCQB under ONNVF.
