#Israel #Galmed Pharmaceuticals #Aramchol #Ramat-Gan #SCD1 Inhibitor

Galmed and Tel Aviv University Collaborate to Advance Aramchol for Metastatic Brain Cancer

Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has recently announced a significant collaboration with Tel Aviv University (TAU) to evaluate its innovative SCD1 inhibitor, Aramchol, as a targeted therapy for metastatic brain cancers. This partnership reflects a commitment to transforming groundbreaking research into viable treatment options for patients facing this devastating disease.

Breakthrough in Medicinal Chemistry

At the forefront of this collaboration is Galmed's recent achievement in medicinal chemistry, which has successfully converted Aramchol into a formulation designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively. This breakthrough positions Aramchol as a promising novel therapy for synucleinopathies and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

Metastatic brain cancers represent a significant clinical challenge, marked by a dire prognosis with a survival rate below 10% over two years, despite existing treatment modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This reality underscores the urgent need for innovative therapeutic solutions to combat this form of cancer.

Understanding the Mechanism

Research from TAU has revealed the link between p53 inactivation and the upregulation of SCD1, which plays a crucial role in the proliferation of cells that metastasize to the brain. The collaboration agreement with Ramot at TAU, the university’s technology transfer company, is set to leverage these genomic and metabolic insights to develop Aramchol as a targeted therapy for brain metastases. The joint efforts will integrate the genomic expertise of the Ben-David Lab with the advanced modeling capabilities of the Satchi-Fainaro Lab.

As part of this initiative, the researchers aim to investigate the efficacy of Aramchol in treating brain metastases that are deficient in p53, a tumor suppressor gene known for its role as the 'guardian of the genome'. Loss of p53 functionality not only contributes to cancer proliferation but also alters the metabolic landscape of tumors, allowing them to thrive in the brain's high-lipid environment.

Collaboration Insights

Allen Baharaff, the CEO of Galmed, expressed optimism about the research collaboration, highlighting how it opens new pathways for therapeutic interventions targeting metastatic cancers. He stated, “The findings concerning the connection between p53 inactivation and the metabolic changes that drive brain metastasis are significant; they provide a viable direction for the development of Aramchol.”

Prof. Uri Ben-David from TAU emphasized the importance of understanding how cancer cells survive in the brain's unique environment. He noted that the collaboration allows for a targeted application of Aramchol against SCD1-expressing brain metastases. This is a critical step toward addressing one of the most challenging forms of cancer.

Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro further elaborated on the excitement surrounding the collaboration, stating that their advanced preclinical systems provide a strong basis for assessing Aramchol's efficacy. Her team’s research, which includes sophisticated 3D tumor models, aims to yield insights that may significantly bolster the preclinical validation of Aramchol, aligning it closer to clinical application.

A New Era of Therapeutics

The collaboration is managed by Ramot, Tel Aviv University's dedicated technology transfer company, which is focused on translating groundbreaking academic research into market-ready products. By combining academic expertise with industrial capabilities, this partnership aims to address the ongoing challenges faced by patients with high unmet needs in the realm of metastatic brain cancer.

As Galmed pursues the development of Aramchol, there is an exciting potential for this innovative therapy to revolutionize treatment approaches for patients suffering from brain metastases, marking a hopeful leap forward in oncological therapeutics. The ongoing research endeavors, in conjunction with the insights from TAU, will help shape how the medical community approaches brain cancer treatment in the coming years.