Strasbourg and Bordeaux, France — March 10, 2022 — Domain Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of new drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors in immuno-oncology, and Explicyte, a specialty immuno-oncology CRO with expertise in innovative target identification through multiparametric approaches, today announce the signing of a partnership agreement.
Through this collaboration, the two companies will combine their complementary expertise to identify novel GPCR targets and associated biomarkers, with the objective of discovering and developing breakthrough therapeutic programs in immuno-oncology.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Combining GPCR Biology and Translational Immuno-Oncology Expertise
Explicyte has generated proprietary RNA-sequencing-based datasets from preclinical syngeneic tumor models. These datasets enable the interrogation of transcriptomic profiles from both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, and allow correlation with response or resistance to prototypical immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Through differential gene expression analysis, Explicyte has identified molecular features associated with sensitivity or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.
As part of the agreement, Domain Therapeutics has secured exclusive access to Explicyte’s GPCR-related data.
Fueling the Next Generation of GPCR-Targeted Immunotherapies
For Domain Therapeutics, these results, cross-validated with clinical RNA-sequencing data, represent a valuable source of novel GPCR targets for the development of first-in-class immunotherapies associated with biomarkers.
The collaboration will support the development of personalized medicine strategies in immuno-oncology, with a focus on therapeutic approaches designed to rearm the immune system and potentiate immune checkpoint inhibitor activity.
Domain Therapeutics will use this partnership to enrich its proprietary pipeline with new GPCR targets involved in immune resistance mechanisms.
Explicyte’s Role in Target and Biomarker Discovery
Through this partnership, Explicyte will contribute its expertise in translational immuno-oncology, preclinical tumor models, transcriptomic profiling, and multiparametric biomarker analysis.
The collaboration reflects Explicyte’s ability to generate biologically relevant datasets from preclinical models and to translate these insights into actionable target discovery programs.
By supporting the identification of GPCR-mediated mechanisms of immunoresistance, Explicyte reinforces its role as a specialized CRO partner for companies developing innovative immunotherapies.
Management Comments
“We are very happy to enter into a multi-year collaboration with such a long-standing partner,” said Alban Bessede, CEO of Explicyte. “With this partnership, Explicyte will use its expertise to fuel and support Domain’s GPCR-targeting pipeline in immuno-oncology — a great opportunity for Explicyte to participate in this immunotherapy revolution.”
“Explicyte brings together a panel of expertise that perfectly fits with Domain’s capabilities and immuno-oncology deployment strategy,” said Xavier Leroy, CSO of Domain Therapeutics. “Having privileged access to omics data to discover the next generation of immunotherapies tackling GPCR-mediated immunoresistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors holds great promise for cancer patients.”
“Domain’s portfolio is evolving toward a clinical-stage pipeline with M1069, an A2A/A2B antagonist currently in Phase 1 and developed by Merck, and our proprietary EP4 antagonist DT-9081, due to enter Phase 1 in the second half of 2022,” added Pascal Neuville, CEO of Domain Therapeutics. “This partnership with Explicyte contributes to expanding Domain’s pipeline with innovative first-in-class programs. It confirms the worldwide and unique positioning of Domain as the GPCR company in immuno-oncology.”
About Explicyte
Explicyte is a Contract Research Organization offering preclinical and translational research services for cancer immunotherapy drug discovery.
Its services span cell-based assays for the phenotypic evaluation of novel immunotherapeutics and the characterization of in vitro mechanisms of action, through to in vivo studies using preclinical tumor models and translational biomarker discovery assays.
Explicyte explores biomarkers using cutting-edge technologies, including digital histology and multispectral imaging, spatial transcriptomics, multiplexed flow cytometry, proteomics, and metabolomics analysis.
About Domain Therapeutics
Domain Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company operating in France and Canada, dedicated to the discovery and development of drug candidates targeting G protein-coupled receptors, one of the most important classes of drug targets.
Over the last decade, the company has built a proprietary pipeline in immuno-oncology, neurology, and rare diseases. Domain Therapeutics is now focused on delivering and developing high-value drug candidates to address GPCR-mediated immunosuppression in immuno-oncology.