Overview

Protox Therapeutics is a product-focused development-stage company and a leader in advancing novel, targeted protein toxin therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other proliferative diseases. Through the company’s INxin™ and PORxin™ technology platforms, therapeutic candidates are generated by engineering the naturally occurring toxins, Pseudomonas exotoxin and proaerolysin. These drugs are potent anti-cancer agents with distinct modes of action.

INxin™ drugs target cancer cells that produce specific tumor associated receptors on their cell surface. Once bound to the cancer cells, INxin™ drugs enter the cell and inhibit protein synthesis which ultimately leads to cell death. A Phase II clinical trial has been completed with Protox’s lead compound, PRX321, for the treatment of primary brain cancer, specifically recurrent malignant glioblastoma multiforme and astrocytoma. A Phase I clinical trial has also been completed for both renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. PRX321 is also in pre-clinical development for other peripheral solid tumors and hematological tumors.

PORxin™ drugs are prodrugs that are activated by specific proteases produced in elevated levels by target cells. Once activated, the drug punches holes in the cells causing the contents to leak out and ultimately cell death. Phase 1 clinical trials evaluating PRX302 have been completed for the treatment of localized prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).