Dr. Alexis Roberts-McIntosh, CEO of Simris, stated “Simris Group is pioneering the development of the next-generation ADC payloads by optimizing Microcystin (MC) variants that deliver enhanced efficacy and safety. Our initial focus is on improving the safety profile of MC payloads for the treatment of non-solid tumors. By addressing this critical need in oncology, Simris is taking the first step that will see us expand the therapeutic potential of our technology to a broader range of cancer types. Additionally, significant efforts are being directed toward the development of ADCs utilizing MC-dimers as payloads, which could further improve potency and expland therapeutic window of the future ADCs.

“We continue to make significant progress towards our key goal of generating the pre-clincial data package needed for an Investigational New Drug Application (IND), a key step before starting clinical development. Our research is also actively exploring the optimal positioning of linkers, the integration of spacer designs, and novel linker variations to maximize the performance and stability of the ADCs based on our novel proprietary payloads. We have progressed lead optimisation of specific payloads, resulting in significant high performance in relevant OATP*-expressing cells. We have established linker-payload synthesis in-house which significantly speeds up our research and development programme,“ concluded Dr Roberts-McIntosh.

Simris Group believes that its expertise and world leading cyanobacteial library will enable it to play a crucial role in the timely development of the next generation of ADCs that should significantly improve the treatment outcomes of cancer patients globally. Simris Group intends to achieve this goal by collaborating a broad range of strategic partners.

* Organic anion transporting polypeptides