KRAS mutations are present in 30% of all human cancers and are associated with high lethality. In particular, KRAS mutations predominate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, 90%), colorectal cancer (CRC, 40%), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, 35%), and ovarian and endometrial cancers (10%). These figures are an exciting possibility for drug development given that only two KRAS G12C inhibitors, sotorasib and adagrasib, have been accepted for clinical use in NSCLC. Yet, KRAS G12C mutation is only present at minimal percentages in other cancers. As such, there is a market opportunity here where we can have a significant impact. Our research is well positioned in this field: we have developed a new small molecule (PMC79, a ruthenium-based metallodrug) that specifically inhibits the KRAS most common mutations in CRC and PDAC, namely, G12D, G12V, and G13D. PMC79 specifically inhibits mutated KRAS both in vitro and in vivo.

PMC79 is set to target an untapped market niche.