Dewpoint Therapeutics has nominated DPTX3496, its second drug development candidate. DPTX3496 is an oral small molecule designed to treat Wnt-driven cancers like colorectal, breast, and lung cancers by modulating condensates within cells. The drug is currently in IND-enabling studies, with an IND filing anticipated for the second half of 2025.
This development represents a potentially significant advance in cancer treatment. DPTX3496 targets the beta-catenin pathway, a common driver of uncontrolled cell growth in several cancer types. By sequestering beta-catenin within nuclear condensate depots, DPTX3496 aims to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells exhibiting excessive beta-catenin/Wnt signaling, offering a more targeted approach than traditional chemotherapy. This targeted mechanism may lead to improved efficacy and reduced side effects for patients, ultimately changing the treatment landscape for these prevalent cancers.
Pre-clinical data demonstrates promising tumor regression and stasis in various Wnt-driven tumor models, including patient-derived xenografts. Furthermore, DPTX3496 has shown good tolerability and minimal body weight loss in these models. Dewpoint has developed specific biomarker assays to monitor beta-catenin activity, which will be crucial for assessing target engagement and modulation during clinical trials. These biomarkers offer a unique opportunity to track drug activity and personalize treatment strategies. DPTX3496 also down-regulates beta-catenin-driven gene transcription and Wnt pathway activity •in vivo•, and plasma protein profiling shows modulation of systemic disease-associated beta-catenin target genes. This second drug candidate, along with the recently announced DPTX3186, demonstrates the productivity of Dewpoint’s platform and provides two distinct chemotypes targeting the same pathway, broadening the company’s potential therapeutic reach. Dewpoint is leveraging external collaborations with ConcertAI and Evotec to further enhance patient stratification and accelerate IND filing timelines.
The nomination of DPTX3496 reinforces Dewpoint’s position at the forefront of condensate biology research and its application in drug discovery. The anticipated IND filing in 2025 will be a crucial step towards clinical validation of this novel approach to cancer therapy. If successful, DPTX3496 could represent a substantial advancement in the treatment of Wnt-driven cancers, providing new hope for patients and potentially opening up new avenues for targeting previously “undruggable” targets in other disease areas.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
