Pepkon - From academic research to drug development
PepKon is a french biotechnology company founded in 2022. The company develops first-in-class peptides for the treatment of incurable or poor prognosis cancers. These drug-candidates come from over a decade of academic research, resulting in seven scientific publications and two patent families
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First-in-class mechanism of action
Selective, calcium-dependent and immunogenic cell death.
Safety
No hematological or organ toxicity in our studies.
Efficacy
In vivo tumor regression in several types of leukemias and solid cancers.
Druggability
In addition to cost-effective manufacturing, the stability and solubility properties are suited for pharmaceutical development.
Breakthrough science
CD47 a ubiquitous transmembrane protein, is known to act as a “do not eat me” signal. Its expression on the cell surface is overexpressed in various cancer cells, enabling the tumor cells to escape from macrophage-mediated phagocytosis.
Thrombospondin-1, an endogenous CD47 ligand, has been shown to trigger cancer cell death by binding to CD47.
PepKon is developing small peptides mimicking the C-terminal domain of Thrombospondin-1. Composed of ten amino acids, they were designed to bind to CD47 with high affinity. It has been demonstrated that they trigger a calcium-dependent, caspase-independent, and immunogenic cell death. This mechanism of action is completely original and different from anti-CD47 monoclonal antibodies currently developed by several big pharma companies.
PepKon’s lead candidate PKT16 is currently in
preclinical development.
Based on preclinical data, this drug candidate will
target several types of leukemia and solid
cancers.
Meet the team
Our team brings together a perfect balance of experience, expertise, and youthful energy in our mission to revolutionize cancer treatment. In addition, we benefit from the support of several KOLs and high-level advisors.
Meet All Departments
Laboratory - PepKon has its own laboratory at Oncodesign François Hyafil research center (Villebon-sur-Yvette, Paris region). This asset enables the company to synthesize its own peptides and conduct laboratory studies.
Incubation and offices - PepKon is supported by three selective incubators : Agoranov, Neighborhood (Voisin Consulting Life Sciences) and Prunay Impact.
FILO - PepKon is supported for its preclinical and clinical development by FILO, the national Cooperative Group of research in the field of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
