On Oct. 30, 2018, Pascal Biosciences announced the Company had entered into an exclusive license agreement with the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle to develop a cannabinoid-based product for the treatment of glioblastoma multiform and brain metastases. The program, developed in the lab of renowned cannabis researcher Dr. Nephi Stella, founder and co-director of the UW Center for Cannabis Research, included a lead therapeutic, ST-403. Pascal planned to begin human clinical studies of ST-403 in 2019.

ST compounds utilize a unique mechanism of action to kill cancer cells that may prove synergistic when used in combination with chemotherapeutics. In a preclinical model of glioblastoma, mice are treated with radiation and temozolomide, which is the standard of care for human patients; ST compounds synergize with these treatments to reduce tumour size and extend life. These compounds also demonstrated a favourable safety profile. These results support Pascal’s plans to begin clinical trials with ST-403 in 2019.

“ST-403 is a very promising therapeutic candidate that is an ideal fit with our cannabinoid immune activation program that we announced in February,” said Dr. Patrick Gray, CEO of Pascal. “Both programs have great potential in treating cancer, and we are fortunate to have access to and support from Dr. Stella to help facilitate the advancement of this great science into meaningful therapeutics for cancer.”  

Pascal’s exclusive license agreement with the UW covers the ST-403 program, all related compounds, and a strong patent portfolio. If ST-403 has demonstrated benefit for glioblastoma patients, its commercial potential is significant: Temozolomide is now off patent protection, but previously had sales over $1B per year. 

ST-403 is a mitosis inhibitor that blocks cell division. Drugs of this class disrupt microtubules, which are the structures that pull chromosomes apart during cell division. There are several mitotic inhibitors approved for cancer treatment, including paclitaxel and vinblastine, and they have substantial benefit on solid tumours when combined with other chemotherapeutics. However, unlike ST-403, none of these agents cross the blood brain barrier and therefore have no activity on glioblastoma or other brain cancers.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a devastating disease for patients due to the high rate of recurrence, limited treatment options and aggressive nature of the disease. According to the National Brain Tumor Society, glioblastoma strikes about 15,000 patients each year in North America with a median survival rate of 12 to 17 months. Therapies to treat glioblastoma are limited to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and more recently tumour treating fields. The only chemotherapeutic approved for glioblastoma is temozolomide, which was developed over 50 years ago and extends survival by only two months. Temozolomide kills tumour cells by causing DNA damage, a mechanism that is different from ST compounds.

Pascal Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on advancing innovative approaches for the treatment of cancer including cannabinoid-based therapeutics and targeted therapies. The company’s leading cannabinoid portfolio comprises a small molecule therapeutic, ST-403, that is advancing into clinical trials for the treatment of glioblastoma, and an immuno-stimulatory molecule. In addition, Pascal Biosciences is developing a B-cell targeted antibody for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and an antibody for calcium channels expressed by the immune system.