Noxopharm Ltd (ASX:NOX) last week highlighted the growing potential of its Sofra™ technology platform, with CEO Olivier Laczka outlining how the company's immune-modulating approach could address both chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.
Speaking with Proactive, Laczka discussed the scientific foundation behind the platform, which emerged from research conducted alongside the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne.
He said the company uncovered a previously unknown mechanism by which naturally occurring molecules regulate key immune receptors, enabling Noxopharm to develop RNA-based oligonucleotides capable of either suppressing excessive inflammation or enhancing immune activity where needed.
The company's lead program is focused on cutaneous lupus, a chronic autoimmune skin disease with limited treatment options. Laczka noted that Noxopharm has already completed a Phase 1 safety study and is preparing to generate efficacy data in patients, a milestone he described as potentially transformative for the company.
According to Laczka, demonstrating efficacy in patients would validate the broader platform and support its application across multiple diseases driven by immune dysfunction.
The company is also advancing an immuno-oncology program targeting Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), an important component of the body's innate immune response. Recently released data showed that a proprietary TLR8-amplifying oligonucleotide increased the activity of a clinical-stage TLR8 agonist by more than 200-fold in human skin biopsies. Additional animal studies showed almost three-fold enhancement of TLR8 activity.
The findings build on research published in Nature Immunology and support Noxopharm's strategy of enhancing existing cancer therapies through targeted immune activation.
Laczka said the company wanted to "revolutionise the way we treat diseases that are driven by a malfunctioning immune system".
Several near-term catalysts could attract investor attention. These include efficacy data from the lupus program, further preclinical and translational data from the cancer program, and progress from strategic collaborations focused on drug delivery technologies.
Noxopharm is working with specialist partners in Europe and the United States to explore targeted delivery approaches for inflammatory diseases affecting the lungs, joints and other tissues.
With a granted US patent protecting aspects of the technology and a growing body of supporting data, Noxopharm is positioning Sofra as a platform with potential applications across both autoimmune disease and immuno-oncology.
Interview highlights
- Noxopharm's Sofra™ platform is based on a novel discovery involving regulation of the immune system through Toll-like receptors.
- The technology uses small RNA-based oligonucleotides to modulate immune activity.
- Lead program targets cutaneous lupus using a topical cream formulation.
- Phase 1 safety and tolerability study has been completed.
- Upcoming patient efficacy studies are viewed as a major validation milestone.
- The cream is designed to remain within the skin and avoid systemic immunosuppression.
- Noxopharm is expanding applications beyond autoimmune disease into cancer immunotherapy.
- New data showed a proprietary oligonucleotide boosted activity of a clinical-stage TLR8 agonist by more than 200-fold in human skin biopsies.
- Strategic partnerships are being used to develop delivery technologies for lung, joint and other disease applications.
- Management sees multiple catalysts emerging over the next six to nine months.
Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Investors. I'm your host, Kerry Stevenson. I've asked Olivier Laczka, CEO of Noxopharm, to join us today. Noxopharm has made what appears to be a significant discovery relating to the immune system and inflammation. Olivier, welcome to Proactive. For viewers who may not know the company, explain what Noxopharm has developed and why you're excited about it.
Olivier Laczka: This is a technology we've been working on for six to seven years alongside researchers at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. We discovered a previously unknown mechanism through which the immune system is regulated by naturally occurring molecules within the body.
Understanding this mechanism allowed us to develop synthetic drugs that mimic what happens naturally when the immune system is functioning properly. These RNA-based drugs can modulate immune receptors, either reducing excessive inflammation in autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, or enhancing immune activity to help fight cancer.
Proactive: You've already completed a Phase 1 clinical trial. How far away are you from proving this works in patients?
Olivier Laczka: We've completed a Phase 1 study assessing safety and tolerability. Our first product is a topical cream designed for patients with cutaneous lupus. One of our key near-term milestones is moving into patient studies and generating proof-of-concept efficacy data. Demonstrating efficacy would validate the platform and show that these drugs can successfully regulate inflammation.
We believe the technology could eventually apply to many diseases driven by immune dysfunction, including autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Proactive: You mentioned a cream. How is the technology delivered and how might it be used for other diseases?
Olivier Laczka: The skin was a deliberate first target because it contains a large population of immune cells. Using a cream allows us to target those cells directly rather than relying on systemic delivery.
For other diseases, we're working with specialist partners. For example, we're collaborating with a European company developing inhaled delivery systems for lung diseases. We've already generated encouraging animal data showing reduced lung inflammation.
We're also working with a US company that has targeting technologies capable of directing our oligonucleotides to immune cells, including those involved in joint inflammation. We see significant opportunities to combine our payloads with existing delivery technologies.
Proactive: Current treatments often rely on corticosteroids. How is your approach different?
Olivier Laczka: For cutaneous lupus there are very limited treatment options. Corticosteroids and anti-malarial drugs can be effective but have significant side effects.
Our formulation is designed to retain the drug within the skin without entering the bloodstream. This means we can target the relevant immune cells locally while avoiding systemic immunosuppression. We have demonstrated that the drug remains detectable in the skin for days but is not detected in blood plasma.
Proactive: You've transitioned from Chief Scientific Officer to CEO. Why should investors be paying attention to Noxopharm now?
Olivier Laczka: I believe this is a particularly important period for the company. We have several potential catalysts over the next six to nine months.
Generating efficacy data in patients would be a major milestone. We also expect to release additional results from our immuno-oncology program, where we're exploring how to selectively activate immune responses against cancer.
Our strategic partners are generating encouraging data and are keen to conduct further studies. Collectively, these developments could attract attention from both the scientific community and pharmaceutical companies.
I've been involved in developing this technology for many years and remain highly committed to advancing it. Alongside our scientific team and collaborators, we're focused on achieving these milestones and demonstrating the potential of the Sofra platform.
Proactive: Thank you for joining us.
Olivier Laczka: Thank you, Kerry.